Portable device docking station

ABSTRACT

A molded external expanding apparatus or “docking station” operable with a portable computer device of a type having a display unit having a display screen on an inner surface thereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotally mounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holes adjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surface thereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector positioned on a back plane thereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides thereof.

The present application is a Continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/480,666 filed in the name of the inventor of the present application on Jun. 30, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference, and is related to the following co-pending U.S. Patent applications filed in the name of the inventor of the present application: Ser. No. 11/490,402 filed on Jul. 19, 2006; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/493,107 filed on Jul. 26, 2006, Ser. No. 11/496,643 filed on Jul. 31, 2006; Ser. No. 11/525,353 filed on Sep. 23, 2006; and Ser. No. 11/525,354 filed on Sep. 23, 2006, which are all incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to trays for holding portable devices, and in particular to quick release docking stations for portable computers and other portable electronics devices having one or more input/output (I/O) communication ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable notebook type computers using a built in battery pack power source are generally well-known and have an advantage in being handy to carry about and freely used even in those places which are not accessible to the commercial power supply.

Such computers are compact in design for higher portability, so that their standard functions are inevitably more limited than those of desktop computers. Accordingly, such portable computers are generally provided with one or more connectors and ports for function expansion, usually on the rear face of its casing which supports a keyboard and a display unit. These computers are additionally furnished with new functions by connecting peripheral devices, such as a hard disk drive, mouse, printer, etc., to the connectors and ports.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a notebook type portable computer 1 for use as a portable electronic device which is connected to an external expanding apparatus, commonly referred to as a “docking station.” The computer 1 includes a plastic casing 2 serving as an apparatus body. The casing 2 is in the form of a flat generally rectangular box having a bottom face 2 a and a top face 2 b, which extend generally parallel to each other, and a front face 2 c, a rear face 2 d, and side faces 2 e and 2 f, which are continuous with the bottom and top faces 2 a and 2 b. At least one such computer casing 2 further includes a tongue 2 g projected from the front face 2 c and having a bottom face 2 h which may be continuous with the bottom face 2 a of the casing 2, a top face 2 i which extends generally parallel to the bottom face 2 h, and a front face 2 j that is spaced away from the casing front face 2 c. The tongue 2 g may include side surfaces 2 k and 2 l extending between the computer casing front surface 2 c and the tongue front face 2 j. Other surfaces of the casing 2, such as one of the side faces 2 e, 2 f may includes additional features, such as but not limited to a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM 3 a and a main power switch 3 b.

Arranged on the top face 2 b of the casing 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is a keyboard 7 which is used to input information and commands. A pair of display supporting portions 8 a and 8 b, left and right, are formed at the rear end portion of the top face 2 b. A flat display unit 9 having a thickness t is connected to the display supporting portions 8 a and 8 b. The display unit 9 is rotated about a hinge axis h on a pair of legs 10 a and 10 b, left and right, which are pivotally mounted on the supporting portions 8 a and 8 b, respectively, by means of hinge devices as is generally well-known. Thus, the display unit 9 is supported on the casing 2 to be rotatable about the hinge axis h relative to the casing 2 between a closed position, in which a display screen surface 9 a of the display unit 9 touches the top face 2 b of the casing 2. The display unit 9 thereby covers the keyboard 7 for protecting both the keyboard 7 and display screen surface 9 a of the display unit 9 with a hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9. The display unit 9 alternately rotates into an open position in which the display unit 9 stands upright with the display screen surface 9 a exposed at the back of the keyboard 7, as illustrated. Furthermore, a hard shell lip portion 9 c of the display unit 9 surrounds the sensitive display screen 9 d, the display screen 9 d is slightly recessed below the hard shell lip portion 9 c.

FIG. 2 illustrates an input/output (I/O) connector or port 4 of the known portable computer being provided in the rear face 2 d between interface apertures 4 a and 4 b on either side thereof. The I/O connector 4 includes a quantity of pins or pin receptors (shown) 4 c are organized in a selected pattern. The pins or pin receptors 4 c provided input/output (I/O) capability for communicating with various peripheral components that may provide such functions as for example but not limited to: a modem, a game port, audio output, a microphone input, serial connections, parallel connections, a video display output, USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, a mouse connection, a keyboard connection, an external power supply connection. Alternatively, connection to these or other peripheral devices are provided by a separate and individual modem connector, a game port, audio speaker connectors, a microphone connector, two serial connectors, a parallel connector, a display unit connector, a USB connector, a mouse connector, a keyboard connector, and an external power supply connector, as are generally well-known in the art. A metallic terminal plate 5 is exposed on the rear face 2 d and surrounds the I/O connector 4 and includes an open end of each of the apertures 4 a and 4 b. The apertures 4 a and 4 b each include a cylindrical aperture or a lengthwise slot (shown) or an aperture of another shape extending from the rear face 2 d of the casing 2 toward the opposite front face 2 c.

In transporting the computer 1 peripheral devices must be removed from their corresponding connectors or ports, or alternatively the single I/O connector 4. In restoring the computer 1 to its original state after using it elsewhere, any peripheral devices must be connected again via the I/O connector 4. In the case where a large number of peripheral devices are connected, therefore, the removal and connection require very troublesome operations.

To cope with this, there have recently been provided external expanding apparatuses or “docking stations” which are adapted to be interposed between a portable computer and a plurality of peripheral devices and relay signals transferred between the computer and the devices.

FIG. 3 illustrates one such docking station 13 having a plurality of connectors and ports connectable with the peripheral devices, external power supply connector, etc., and an expansion connector 15 is presented at a connector presentation surface 21 which is opposed to the rear face 2 d of the computer casing 2. The expansion connector 15 is structured to engage the computer's I/O connector 4. The expansion connector 15 is mounted on a movable bracket 18 structured to engage apertures 4 a and 4 b on opposite sides of the I/O connector 4 as a prelude to the expansion connector 15 actually engaging the I/O connector 4. By example and without limitation, the bracket 18 includes a pair of guide pins or arms 18 a and 18 b that are positioned on opposite sides of the expansion connector 15 to engage apertures 4 a and 4 b on opposite sides of the I/O connector 4. The expansion connector 15 includes a quantity of pin receptors or pins (shown) 15 a organized in a selected pattern to engage the pins or pin receptors 4 c of the computer's I/O connector 4. The pins 15 a of the expansion connector 15 are connected electrically to different ones of the connectors and ports that are connectable with the peripheral devices.

In known prior art docking station devices 13 the pair of guide pins or arms 18 a and 18 b positioned on opposite sides of the expansion connector 15 are extended forward of the expansion connector 15 and its pin receptors or pins (shown) 15 a such that the guide arms 18 a, 18 b engage the apertures 4 a and 4 b on opposite sides of the I/O connector 4 before the expansion connector 15 and its pin receptors or pins 15 a the I/O connector 4. Furthermore, the expansion connector 15 is typically loosely mounted on the bracket 18 with a little lateral play such that the expansion connector 15 is permitted to move relative to the bracket 18 and its pin receptors or pins (shown) 15 a wiggle or “float” into final mating positions with the respective pin receptors (or pins) 4 c of the I/O connector 4 after the guide arms 18 a, 18 b have established a nominal docking position. Thus, the guide arms 18 a, 18 b with the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b fine tunes the positioning of the pins (or pin receptors) 15 a of the expansion connector 15 relative to the pin receptors (or pins) 4 c of the computer's I/O connector 4 prior to final insertion.

The docking station 13 also includes a mounting platform 17 on which the computer 1 is removably mounted. The mounting platform 17 is, for example, adjacent connector presentation surface 21, and includes a bearing surface 19 on which the bottom face 2 a of the computer casing 2 is placed. The docking station apparatus 13 also includes bullet-nosed engaging pins 23 a and 23 b, which are provided on the bearing surface 19 adjacent to the connector presentation surface 21. The bottom face 2 a of the computer casing 2 includes a pair of locating holes 6 a and 6 b situated adjacent to the rear face 2 d and the side faces 2 e and 2 f of the casing 2. The locating holes 6 a, 6 b each include a cylindrical aperture extending from the bottom face 2 a toward the opposite top face 2 b and sized to accept the bullet-nosed engaging pins 23 a, 23 b on the bearing surface 19 of the docking station 13. The locating holes 6 a and 6 b thus serve to locate the computer's I/O connector 4 relative to the expansion connector 15 on the presentation surface 21 of the docking station 13.

In connecting the computer to the docking station 13, the tongue 2 g of the computer casing 2 is fit into a mouth 25 of a mating receiver structure 27 adjacent to the bearing surface 19 opposite from and facing toward the connector presentation surface 21. The computer casing 2 is rotated about the tongue 2 g with the bottom surface 2 a of the casing 2 guided toward the bearing surface 19. When the bottom surface 2 a of the casing 2 is close to the bearing surface 19, the mating locating holes 6 a and 6 b in the bottom surface 2 a of the casing 2 engage the locating pins 23 a, 23 b of the docking station 13, which positions the casing 2 relative to the docking station 13, and in particular positions the I/O connector 4 relative to the docking station's expansion connector 15.

Thereafter, the docking station's expansion connector 15 and the pair of guide pins or arms 18 a, 18 b on either side of the expansion connector 15 are moved together in the direction indicated by the arrow toward the rear face 2 d of the computer 1 in a manner such that the pair of guide pins or arms 18 a, 18 b are fitted individually in the recesses of the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b by operation of a swingable operating lever 29. Such engagement of the guide arms 18 a, 18 b with the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b fine tunes the positioning of the pins (or pin receptors) 15 a of the expansion connector 15 relative to the pin receptors (or pins) 4 c of the computer's I/O connector 4. Continued operation of the operating lever 29 continues movement of the expansion connector 15 toward the computer's I/O connector 4, and engages the pins (or pin receptors) 15 a with the pin receptors (or pins) 4 c during final insertion.

As a result, the expansion connector 15 of the docking station 13 is connected to the computer's I/O connector 4. Additionally, the computer 1 cannot be removed from the docking station 13 because the guide pins or arms 18 a, 18 b engaging the interface apertures 4 a, 4 b conspire with the receiver structure 27 engaging the computer casing's tongue 2 g, and the locating pins 23 a and 23 b engaging the mating locating holes 6 a and 6 b in the bottom surface 2 a of the computer casing 2 to secure the computer 1 relative to the docking station's connector presentation surface 21 and the bearing surface 19, respectively.

In removing the computer from the docking station apparatus 13, the operating lever 29 is reversed to move the expansion connector 15 away from the computer rear surface 2 d, whereby the expansion connector 15 is disconnected from the computer's I/O connector 4, and the guide pins or arms 18 a, 18 b are disengaged from the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b. The computer casing 2 can be rotated about the tongue 2 g so that the bottom surface 2 a of the casing 2 is disengaged from the bearing surface 19, and the computer 1 is disengaged from the docking station 13.

In the docking station apparatus 13 described above, the pins (or pin receptors) 15 a of the expansion connector 15 are attached to a circuit board which is located within a casing 31 of the apparatus 13, and the expansion connector 15 is connected to the circuit board through a flexible wiring harness. The flexible wiring board is in turn connected through other flexible wiring harnesses to separate and individual modem connector, a game port, audio speaker connectors, a microphone connector, two serial connectors, a parallel connector, a display unit connector, a USB connector, a mouse connector, a keyboard connector, and an external power supply connector, as are generally well-known in the art.

FIG. 4 illustrates an input/output (I/O) plate 33 of the docking station 13 where the flexible wiring harnesses of external devices may be connected to, for example, a mouse connector 35, a keyboard connector 37, a display unit connector 39, one or more serial connectors 41, a game port 43, a parallel connector 45, a serial connector 47, one or more USB connectors 49, a microphone connector 51, one or more speaker connectors 53, an external power supply connector 55, a modem connector 57, or a power switch 59.

However, known docking station apparatus are limited in their ability to provide the above expansion efficiently and reliably.

Furthermore, although external expanding apparatus or “docking stations” are generally well-known, all such known expanding apparatus for notebook type portable computers are manufactured from formed and/or machined metal. While such metallic construction may provide security against even determined thieves, this security comes with a high cost, not just high financial cost, but also poor appearance, excessive weight, difficult installation, and difficult operation. Consequently, a large number of prospective customers are available for an improved docking station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes limitations of the prior art by providing a substantially rigid molded housing for a novel external computer expanding apparatus or “docking station” of the invention typically formed of plastic or metal in one- or two-pieces. The properties of the molded housing include low-cost, high strength, stiffness, excellent surface quality and unit-to-unit dimensional consistency. Post processing machining may be used to finish the housing details. Components of a novel display unit support structure are also optionally molded, and may include post processing machining to finish some details.

The present invention also provides an external expanding apparatus or “docking station” operable with a portable computer device of a type having a display unit having a display screen on an inner surface thereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotally mounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holes adjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surface thereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector positioned on a back plane thereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides thereof. The external expanding apparatus or “docking station” of the present invention provides all of the features of prior art expanding apparatus with fewer parts that are also simpler than those of prior art devices. The present invention thus performs all of the functions of prior art devices, but eliminates many of the structures required in prior art devices for performing those functions. The present invention also provides novel new features that perform new functions not provided in any known prior art expanding apparatus.

According to one aspect of the invention the external expanding apparatus includes a substantially rigid molded body portion having a substantially rigid bearing plate formed with a substantially rectangular computer bearing surface on an outer face thereof on which the computer device body is to be placed. The molded body portion includes one or more guides molded on an inner face of the substantially rigid bearing plate opposite from the bearing surface. A connector presentation surface is molded adjacent to the bearing surface along a rear edge of the computer bearing surface and is formed with an opening formed therein that is projected above the bearing surface for opposing the device I/O connector when the computer device body is placed on the bearing surface. A computer device receiver structure is molded adjacent to a front edge of the bearing surface and is projected there above opposite from the connector presentation surface. The receiver structure has a molded jaw structure with an opening facing toward the connector presentation surface and is structured to receive and mate with a front face of the computer device casing. A clearance hole is molded or otherwise formed through the bearing plate and communicates between the inner and outer faces thereof, the clearance hole is positioned between the front edge of the bearing surface and a rear edge thereof. The molded body portion also includes a peripheral device connector presentation surface having one or more peripheral device connectors.

A pair of engaging pins sized to be matingly received into the pair of locating holes in the bottom surface of the casing of the portable computer device is fixedly projected above the bearing surface at opposite corners thereof and adjacent to the rear edge thereof in positions for being matingly received into the pair of device locating holes.

An expansion connector drive mechanism is movable relative to the connector presentation surface, the expansion connector drive mechanism includes: a substantially rigid movable frame having an integral retention plate that is formed with a lengthwise slot that is movably coupled to the one or more guides molded on the inner face of the body portion's bearing plate for moving the frame relative to the bearing plate between the front and rear edges of the bearing surface along a drive axis that is aligned with the opening in the connector presentation surface, an integral connector seat adjacent to a first end of the frame, an integral security plate positioned opposite the clearance hole through the bearing plate, the security plate being formed with a keyhole aperture therethrough that has a relatively narrow elongated slot portion oriented substantially parallel with the frame drive axis and a relatively larger aperture communicating with one end of the slot portion opposite from the integral connector seat, an integral catch mechanism that is positioned adjacent to a second end of the frame opposite from the integral connector seat, one or more keepers that are coupled to the bearing plate with the integral retention plate of the frame being movably secured therebetween, and a handle extended from the frame.

A connector bracket connectable with the pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides of the device I/O connector is coupled to the connector seat of the frame and projected above the bearing surface of the bearing plate and is substantially aligned with the opening in the connector presentation surface. The connector bracket has a pair of substantially rigid guides in spaced apart positions for engaging the pair of positioning apertures provided on the computer device back plane on opposite sides of the I/O connector. A computer expansion connector that is connectable with the I/O connector of the computer is mounted on the connector bracket between the guides thereof.

A releasable safety catch that is operable between the keyhole aperture in the integral security plate of the frame and the clearance hole through the bearing plate, the safety catch having a first relatively narrow stem portion that is sized to pass through both the relatively narrow slot portion of the keyhole aperture in the security plate and the clearance hole through the bearing plate, and a second base portion having a relatively wider shoulder portion that is sized to pass through only the relatively larger keyhole aperture and is too oversized relative to the relatively narrow slot portion to pass therethrough.

A resilient biasing mechanism, such as a conventional compression spring, is coupled to the safety catch and is structured for urging the safety catch toward the bearing plate. The biasing mechanism is structured for urging the relatively narrow stem portion of the safety catch to pass through both the relatively narrow slot portion of the keyhole aperture in the security plate and the passage through the bearing plate, and the biasing mechanism structured for simultaneously urging the relatively wide shoulder portion of the base portion to pass through the relatively enlarged passage of the keyhole aperture.

A latch mechanism is positioned on the body portion adjacent to a front surface of the bearing plate and is projected below the inner face thereof adjacent to a near end of the guide mechanism. The latch mechanism is structured to alternately engage and disengage the catch mechanism of the frame portion of the expansion connector drive mechanism.

The connector bracket is linearly movable along or substantially parallel with the frame drive axis between a first disengaged position wherein the connector bracket guides and expansion connector are retracted within the opening in the connector presentation surface adjacent to the rear edge of the bearing surface, and a second engaged position wherein the connector bracket guides and expansion connector are extended from the opening in the connector presentation surface over the rear edge of the bearing surface. The connector bracket coupled to the frame is linearly movable between the first disengaged position and the second engaged position by release of the releasable safety catch, which includes retraction of the first relatively narrow stem portion thereof relative to the clearance hole through the bearing plate, and disengagement of the second relatively wider shoulder portion of the base of the releasable safety catch from the relatively larger keyhole aperture in the security plate, with the elongated slot portion of the keyhole being continuously substantially aligned with the passage through the bearing plate during travel of the connector bracket between the first disengaged position and the second engaged position in its position coupled to the connector seat of the frame portion of the expansion connector drive mechanism.

A mounting structure is integrally molded with a bottom portion of the body portion and is structured to adapt the body portion for mounting to an external support structure.

According to another aspect of the invention, another resilient biasing mechanism, such as another conventional compression spring, is coupled between the frame of the expansion connector drive mechanism and a rear portion of the inner face of the bearing plate of the body portion adjacent to the rear edge of the bearing surface for urging the frame away from the second engaged position toward the first disengaged position.

According to another aspect of the invention, the molded body portion further includes: a body surface adjacent to the peripheral device connector presentation surface, and an external wire harness support integrally molded on the body surface adjacent to the peripheral device connector presentation surface. According to one aspect of the invention, the external wire harness support is molded with one or more strain relief structures each being formed with a valley portion that is structured to securely receive a substantially cylindrical cable thereinto. The valley portion of each of the one or more strain relief structures is projected above the body surface and is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of the one or more peripheral device connectors while being spaced away therefrom. According to another aspect of the invention, the external wire harness support also has one or more gang supports integrally molded above the body surface and being spaced away from both the one or more strain relief structures and from the peripheral device connector presentation surface.

According to another aspect of the invention, the docking station of the invention also includes a rotatable display unit support having a substantially rigid molded support arm that is structured with a first pivot end portion that is rotatably coupled in a releasably lockable manner to the body portion adjacent to the connector presentation surface such that it is rotatable in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface of the bearing plate. The rotatable display unit support includes a display unit clamping mechanism that is adapted to clamp the inner surface and hard shell backing of the display unit. The clamping mechanism is positioned adjacent to a second clamping end portion of the rigid support arm opposite from the first pivot end portion. According to one aspect of the invention, the clamping mechanism includes: a substantially rigid anvil having a substantially smooth convexly arcuate support surface that is extended substantially perpendicularly to the pivot plane of the support arm; a substantially rigid jaw that is rotatably coupled to the anvil, the jaw having a substantially rigid finger that is spaced away from the arcuate support surface of the anvil and is rotatable about an axis in the pivot plane of the support arm and crosswise to the arcuate support surface of the anvil, the finger is rotatable between a first position that is opposed to the arcuate support surface of the anvil, and a second position that is unopposed to and clear of the arcuate support surface of the anvil; a resilient biasing mechanism that is structured for urging the substantially rigid finger toward the arcuate support surface of the anvil; and a detent mechanism between the jaw and the anvil that is structured for releasably locking the jaw relative to the anvil in the first position with the finger opposed to the arcuate support surface of the anvil, and for releasably locking the jaw relative to the anvil in the second position with the finger unopposed to and clear of the arcuate support surface of the anvil.

According to another aspect of the invention, one or more of the components of the display unit clamping mechanism are optionally molded.

According to still another aspect of the invention, the molded body portion further includes one or more of a novel edge mounting structure molded in the body portion between a first body portion and a second body portion that are interconnected along a line of mutual contact. The novel edge mounting structure of the invention is formed by: a pair of mating shapes that are molded between the first and second body portions along the line of mutual contact, the pair of mating shapes forming a hole communicating between interior and exterior surfaces of the first and second body portions; and a nut pocket that is molded behind the hole on the interior surface of one of the first and second body portions substantial alignment with the hole between interior and exterior surfaces of the first and second body portions, the nut pocket is molded having a plurality of spaced apart walls that are fixed substantially perpendicularly to one or both of the interior and exterior surfaces of the first and second body portions and that form therebetween a cavity having an opening at a first end thereof to the exterior surface of one of the first and second body portions, the opening being sized to admit a mechanical nut thereinto with a threaded bore thereof oriented substantially perpendicular to one or both of the interior and exterior surfaces of the first and second body portions and substantially parallel to the walls of the cavity, and the cavity being structured to accept the mechanical nut thereinto through the opening with its threaded bore substantially aligned with the hole and being further being closed at a second with a one or more walls mutually arranged in a manner to constrain the nut from turning.

Other aspects of the invention are detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a known portable computer;

FIG. 2 illustrates an input/output (I/O) connector or port of the known portable computer illustrated in FIG. 1 as being provided in the rear face thereof between interface apertures;

FIG. 3 illustrates a known computer docking station having an expansion connector structured to engage the computer's I/O connector and being provided on a connector presentation surface thereof which is opposed to the rear face of the known computer illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a plurality of connectors and ports connectable with different peripheral devices, external power supply, etc.;

FIG. 4 illustrates an input/output (I/O) plate of the known docking station where flexible wiring harnesses of different external peripheral devices, external power supply, etc. may be connected;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view that illustrates the novel external computer expanding apparatus or “docking station” of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view that illustrates the novel docking station of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view that illustrates the novel docking station of the invention;

FIG. 8 is another side perspective view that illustrates the novel docking station of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the novel docking station of the invention;

FIG. 10 is another bottom perspective view of the docking station of the invention;

FIG. 11 is another bottom perspective view of the docking station of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a close-up bottom perspective view of an external wire harness support of the invention of the docking station of the invention;

FIG. 13 is another close-up bottom perspective view of the external wire harness support of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view that shows novel cable supports of the external wire harness support of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the external wire harness support of the invention illustrating a side view of the cable supports of the invention and an end cross-sectional view of one of a novel gang support of the invention;

FIG. 16 is perspective view inside an upper body portion of the docking station of the invention and illustrates a novel expansion connector drive mechanism of the present invention as well as novel features of the upper body portion that operate with the expansion connector drive mechanism;

FIG. 17 illustrates the alternative non-locking latch mechanism by example and without limitation as a flexible latch mechanism useful with the novel expansion connector drive mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a novel guide mechanism of the invention that cooperates with a novel frame portion of the novel expansion connector drive mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism of the present invention as well as novel features of the upper body portion that operate with the expansion connector drive mechanism;

FIG. 20 illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism of the present invention in a deployed position;

FIG. 21 is a section view of the expansion connector drive mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates the docking station of the invention being in an initial state of readiness to accept the computer;

FIG. 23 illustrates the docking station of the invention being in an intermediate state of accepting the computer;

FIG. 24 illustrates the docking station of the invention being in final state of accepting the computer;

FIG. 25 illustrates the docking station of the invention being in final state of accepting the computer removed here for clarity;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are respective top and bottom perspective views that together illustrate one embodiment of a frame portion of the expansion connector drive of the invention;

FIG. 28 is perspective view inside the upper body portion of the docking station of the invention and further illustrates a simplified expansion connector drive mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is an upside-down close-up view showing novel edge mounting holes of the invention formed along a mutual contact line between the upper and lower body portions of the novel docking station's two-piece body;

FIG. 30 illustrates that an extension portion of a well portion of a novel nut pocket of the invention extends past the contact line between the upper and lower body portions of the novel docking station's two-piece body;

FIG. 31 is a section view of the nut pockets of the invention taken from inside the two-piece body of the docking station of the invention;

FIG. 32 is a section view of the nut pockets of the invention taken from inside the two-piece body of the docking station of the invention;

FIG. 33 illustrates a mechanical nut installed in the nut pocket of the invention with a screw or bolt inserted through the edge mounting hole of the invention and mated with the nut;

FIG. 34 illustrates the lower body portion of the novel docking station with the upper body portion removed for clarity, the nut pockets here illustrated as being optionally fully formed in the selected upper body portion or lower body portion (shown);

FIG. 35 illustrates one of the novel edge mounting holes of the invention alternatively formed with a novel screw or bolt pocket of the invention formed by example and without limitation as a pair of mating pockets (shown in a subsequent figure) integrally formed on inside surfaces of the respective lower body portion and upper body portion of the docking station of the invention and adjacent to the respective edges thereof;

FIG. 36 is a section view of one of the novel screw pockets of the invention taken from inside the two-piece body of the docking station of the invention;

FIG. 37 illustrates the novel screw pocket of the invention being alternatively configured to accommodate a carriage bolt (shown in phantom) wherein the nut pocket is formed having integral near and far portions substantially aligned with a novel edge mounting hole of the invention;

FIG. 38 is a section view of the novel screw or carriage bolt pocket of the invention taken from inside the two-piece body of the docking station of the invention;

FIG. 39 illustrates a novel display unit support of the invention that is structured for supporting the computer's flat display unit;

FIG. 40 illustrates the novel display unit support of the invention in a stored position having a rigid support arm rotated about a pivot axis toward a bearing surface of the upper body portion of the novel docking station of the invention, and an anvil of the novel display unit support being nested in an edge recess of the novel body portion;

FIG. 41 is a side view that illustrates the jaw of the novel display unit support of the invention being rotated about a drive axis of a novel biasing mechanism into substantial alignment with the support arm during storing of the novel display unit support;

FIG. 42 illustrates the novel docking station of the invention with the novel display unit support in an active position having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism supporting the display unit of the computer in an open upright position relative to the computer's keyboard on the computer casing top face;

FIG. 43 illustrates the docking station of the invention with the novel display unit support in an active position having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the display unit clamping mechanism of the invention supporting the computer display unit in an open upright position relative to the computer keyboard with the anvil being positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion of the computer display unit;

FIGS. 44 through 50 illustrate that the arcuate support surface of the anvil portion of the novel display unit clamping mechanism of the invention permits the backing portion of the computer display unit to roll thereabout in smooth substantially constant contact during rotation relative to the computer keyboard, wherein:

FIG. 44 also illustrates the docking station of the invention with the novel display unit support in the active position of FIG. 43 having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism supporting the computer's display unit in an open upright position relative to the computer's keyboard,

FIG. 45 is a side view of the docking station of the invention having the computer's display unit support in one active position; as illustrated in previous figures, having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism of the invention supporting the computer display unit in one open over-center position relative to the computer's keyboard;

FIG. 46 is an opposite side view of the novel display unit support of the invention in the active position of FIG. 45 for constraining the computer's display unit in the open over-center position by a pincer action of the jaw portion relative to the anvil with the knob being tightened to secure the support arm in the active over-center position;

FIG. 47 is a side view of the docking station of the invention having the novel display unit support in another active position having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism of the invention supporting the computer's display unit in a substantially vertical upright position relative to the computer's keyboard with the anvil portion being positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion of the computer display unit;

FIG. 48 is an opposite side view of the novel display unit support of the invention in the active position of FIG. 47 for constraining the computer's display unit in the substantially vertical upright position by the pincer action of the jaw portion relative to the anvil portion with the knob being tightened to secure the support arm in the upright position;

FIG. 49 is a side view of the docking station of the invention having the novel display unit support of the invention in another active position having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism of the invention supporting the computer display unit in another open position having the display unit in an extreme over-center upright position relative to the computer keyboard;

FIG. 50 is an opposite side view of the novel display unit support of the invention in the active position of FIG. 49 for constraining the computer display unit in the extreme over-center open position by the pincer action of the jaw portion relative to the anvil portion with the knob being tightened to secure the support arm in the extreme over-center position;

FIG. 51 illustrates by example and without limitation the pivot mechanism of the invention that constrains the support arm to operate about the pivot axis with the shoulder portion abutting the body's hub portion;

FIG. 52 illustrates by example and without limitation one alternative configuration of the pivot mechanism of the invention wherein the head portion of a screw or bolt type pivot axle is constrained in the body's novel nut pockets;

FIG. 53 illustrates by example and without limitation another alternative configuration of the pivot mechanism illustrated in FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 illustrates by example and without limitation the novel display unit clamping mechanism of the invention of the novel display unit support of the invention in an active configuration clamping the computer's display unit in an open position relative to the computer casing.

FIG. 55 illustrates by example and without limitation the novel display unit clamping mechanism of the novel display unit support invention in a passive configuration wherein the hard shell backing portion of the computer's display unit is supported by the anvil portion of the support arm with the opposing jaw portion in an open position relative to the computer display unit's display screen surface; and

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the docking station of the invention showing the substantially continuous outer wall surface of the upper body portion, wherein a substantially rigid computer bearing plate is additionally molded with several elevational changes distributed being across the device bearing surface thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION. OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view that illustrates the present invention embodied by example and without limitation as a novel external computer expanding apparatus or “docking station” 100 which is adapted to be interposed between a portable computer of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and a plurality of peripheral devices and relay signals transferred between the computer and the devices.

The docking station 100 includes a two-piece body 102 having an upper body portion 102 a connected to a lower body portion 102 b along a line 103 of mutual contact. The upper body portion 102 a is formed with a bearing surface 104 on one face of a substantially rigid bearing plate 105. The bearing surface 104 is structured for the computer casing 2 to be removably placed thereon. A connector presentation surface 106 is projected above the bearing surface 104 for presenting an expansion connector 108 to the rear face 2 d of the computer 1 when the computer's bottom face 2 a is placed on the bearing surface 104. The upper body portion 102 a also includes means for securing the computer 1 to the bearing surface 104 in fixed position relative to the connector presentation surface 106 such that a coupling with the expansion connector 108 is not interrupted unintentionally. By example and without limitation, the securing means includes a receiver structure 110 fixedly positioned adjacent to a front portion 111 of the bearing surface 104 opposite from the connector presentation surface 106 and having an open jaw structure 112 facing toward the connector presentation surface 106 and structured to receive and mate with the tongue 2 g on the front face of the computer casing 2. Mating of the tongue 2 g within the open jaw 112 of the receiver structure 110 resists separation of the computer casing's bottom face 2 a from the bearing surface 104. Such mating of the tongue 2 g within the jaw 112 of the receiver structure 110 also resists sliding of the computer casing 2 along the bearing surface 104 away from the connector presentation surface 106. Additionally, the open jaw 112 may optionally include lips on either side thereof that engage side surfaces 2 k and 2 l (if present) of the tongue 2 g, and by such engagement, resist sideways slippage along the bearing surface 104 parallel of the connector presentation surface 106.

The securing means also includes a pair of engaging pins 114 a and 114 b fixedly positioned on a rear portion 115 of the bearing surface 104 adjacent to the connector presentation surface 106, the engaging pins 114 a, 114 b are structured to be slidingly received into the mating locating holes 6 a and 6 b in the bottom surface 2 a of the casing 2. The two engaging pins 114 a and 114 b operate to position the computer casing 2 relative to the docking station bearing surface 104, and in particular to position the computer's I/O connector 4 relative to the docking station's expansion connector 108. Such mating of the two engaging pins 114 a, 114 b within the respective locating holes 6 a, 6 b also serve to resist both lateral and longitudinal slippage of the computer casing 2 relative to the bearing surface 104. The two engaging pins 114 a, 114 b resist both sliding of the computer casing 2 along the bearing surface 104 away from the connector presentation surface 106, and simultaneously resist sideways slippage along the bearing surface 104 parallel of the connector presentation surface 106.

The securing means also includes a pair of guides 116 a and 116 b provided as either substantially rigid pins or stiff arms that are positioned on opposite sides of the expansion connector 108. The guides 116 a and 116 b extend past the expansion connector 108 and engage the apertures 4 a and 4 b on opposite sides of the computer's I/O connector 4 in advance of the expansion connector 108 engaging the computer's I/O connector 4. As is discussed in detail below, by operation of a sliding expansion connector drive mechanism 118, the expansion connector 108 simultaneously with the pair of guide pins or arms 116 a, 116 b (hereinafter “guide arms”) on either side of the expansion connector 108 are together moved inward from the presentation surface 106 (in the direction indicated by arrow 120) across the bearing surface 104 toward the opposing open jaw 112 of the receiver structure 110 in a manner such that the pair of guide arms 116 a, 116 b are fitted individually in the recesses of the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b the rear face 2 d of the computer casing 2 in advance of connection of the connector 108 with the computer's I/O connector 4. Such engagement of the guide arms 116 a, 116 b with the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b presses the pair of guide arms 116 a, 116 b against the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b in the rear face 2 d of the computer casing 2, which in turn pushes the front face 2 c toward the receiver structure 110 and the tongue 2 g into its open jaw 112. Additionally, the mating of the guide arms 116 a, 116 b within the respective computer casing interface apertures 4 a, 4 b resist sideways slippage along the bearing surface 104 parallel of the connector presentation surface 106. More importantly, the mating of the guide arms 116 a, 116 b within the respective computer casing interface apertures 4 a, 4 b resists separation of the computer casing's bottom face 2 a from the bearing surface 104 so that the two engaging pins 114 a, 114 b within the respective locating holes 6 a, 6 b more effectively resist both lateral and longitudinal slippage of the computer casing 2 relative to the bearing surface 104.

Furthermore, the expansion connector 108 includes a quantity of pin receptors or pins (shown) 122 organized in a selected pattern to engage the pins or pin receptors 4 c of the computer's I/O connector 4. Accordingly, such engagement of the guide arms 116 a, 116 b on either side of the expansion connector 108 with the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b also fine tunes the positioning of pin receptors or pins (shown) 122 of the expansion connector 108 relative to the pin receptors (or pins) 4 c of the computer's I/O connector 4, whereby operation of the expansion connector drive 118 causes the expansion connector 108 to engage the computer's I/O connector 4, and engages the pins (or pin receptors) 122 with the pin receptors (or pins) 4 c.

Thus, the three part computer securing means includes the receiver structure 110 fixed adjacent the front portion 11 of the bearing surface 104, the engaging pins 114 a and 114 b fixed on the rear face 115 of the bearing surface 104, and the guide arms 116 a, 116 b on either side of the expansion connector 108, which operate together to retain the computer's I/O connector 4 on the rear face 2 d of the casing 2 in uninterrupted engagement with the docking station's expansion connector 108.

However, the guide arms 116 a, 116 b on either side of the expansion connector 108 might interfere with seating the computer casing 2 against the bearing surface 104, so a sensing mechanism or means 123 is optionally provided for sensing that the computer's casing 2 is emplaced on the docking station's bearing surface 104 with its I/O connector 4 positioned to receive the docking station's expansion connector 108. For example, the optional sensing mechanism 123 may be provided in the form of safety catch 124 having a stem or button that cooperates with the expansion connector drive 118 to detect presence of the computer 1 against the bearing surface 104. As discussed herein below, if present, the sensing mechanism 123 is an optional safety mechanism that prevents the expansion connector drive 118 from being operated unless the computer casing 2 is firmly seated against the bearing surface 104 of the docking station upper body portion 102 a, which depresses the safety catch 124. Thus, the docking station 100 optionally senses the presence of the computer 1 when installation of the casing 2 causes depression of the safety catch 124, if present. By requiring previous operation of the safety catch 124, if present, the expansion connector 108 cannot be deployed until the computer's I/O connector 4 is positioned to receive it. Accordingly, neither the guide arms 116 a, 116 b nor the expansion connector 108 can interfere with seating the computer casing 2.

Furthermore, while the computer casing 2 is being seated, the expansion connector 108 remains tucked safely away in a home position on the sidelines of the bearing surface 104. For example, the expansion connector 108 is protected in a disengaged “safe” position within an integral connector housing portion 126 of the casing upper body 102 a positioned at the rear 115 of the bearing surface 104, where the expansion connector 108 is out of harm's way during seating of the computer casing 2. By example and without limitation, the housing 126 extends above the bearing surface 104 and is formed with a cavity 128 that is extended rearward of the bearing surface 104. The cavity 128 is sized to hold the expansion connector 108 on a connector bracket 130 having guide arms 116 a, 116 b projected therefrom on either side of the expansion connector 108. The bracket 130, together with the expansion connector 108 and guide arms 116 a, 116 b on either side thereof, is movable (as indicated by arrow 120) by operation of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 out of the cavity 128 and inward of the bearing surface 104 through an access opening 132 formed in the presentation surface 106 of the housing 126.

The docking station 100 of the present invention optionally includes a locking latch mechanism 134 for constraining the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 relative to the upper body portion 102 a of the docking station 100. Accordingly, the locking latch mechanism 134 constrains the bracket 130 having the expansion connector 108 and guide arms 116 a, 116 b in a deployed position, the deployed position having the expansion connector 108 outside the cavity 128 and extended over the bearing surface 104.

As a result, the expansion connector 108 of the docking station 100 is connected to the computer's I/O connector 4. Additionally, the computer 1 cannot be removed from engagement with the docking station 100 because the guide arms 116 a, 116 b engaging the interface apertures 4 a, 4 b cooperate with the receiver structure 110 engaging the computer casing's tongue 2 g, and the locating pins 114 a and 114 b engaging the mating locating holes 6 a and 6 b in the bottom surface 2 a of the computer casing 2 to secure the computer 1 relative to the connector presentation surface 106 and the bearing surface 104, respectively, of the docking station apparatus 100. The locking latch mechanism 134 ensures the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 cannot be dislodged so that the guide arms 116 a, 116 b continue to engage the interface apertures 4 a, 4 b, even if the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 is attempted to be dislodged, either accidentally or intentionally.

In removing the computer from the docking station apparatus 100 of the invention, the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 is reversed to move the expansion connector 108 away from the computer rear surface 2 d, whereby the expansion connector 108 is disconnected from the computer's I/O connector 4, and the guide arms 116 a, 116 b are disengaged from the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b. The computer casing 2 can be rotated about the tongue 2 g so that the bottom surface 2 a of the casing 2 is disengaged from the bearing surface 104, and the computer 1 is disengaged from the docking station 100.

According to one embodiment of the docking station 100 of the invention, the expansion connector 108 is optionally loosely mounted on the bracket 130 with a little lateral play such that the expansion connector 108 is permitted to move relative to the bracket 130 and its pin receptors or pins (shown) 122 wiggle or “float” into final mating positions with the respective pin receptors (or pins) 4 c of the I/O connector 4 after the guide arms 116 a, 116 b have established a nominal docking position, as in the prior art. Thus, the guide arms 116 a, 116 b with the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b fine tunes the positioning of the pins (or pin receptors) 122 of the expansion connector 108 relative to the pin receptors (or pins) 4 c of the computer's I/O connector 4 prior to final insertion.

Alternatively, the expansion connector 108 is optionally securely mounted on the bracket 130 without appreciable lateral play such that the expansion connector 108 is not permitted to move relative to the bracket 130 and its pin receptors or pins (shown) 15 a do not wiggle or float into final mating positions with the respective pin receptors (or pins) 4 c of the I/O connector 4. Rather, as discussed herein below, the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 provides sufficient lateral play that, the guide arms 18 a, 18 b operate to establish both a nominal docking position and a final insertion position of the expansion connector 108 relative to the computer's I/O connector 4. Thus, the complexity of the prior art bracket 18, as discussed herein above, is eliminated, while the positioning function is maintained as a feature of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the invention.

Optionally, hand clearances 137 communicate with either side of the docking station's computer bearing surface 104 for access to the bottom surface 2 a of the computer 1 for lifting it free of the bearing surface 104 and the guide pins 114 a, 114 b projected therefrom. By example and without limitation, the hand clearances 137 are provided as indentations in the upper body portion 102 a and optionally in the lower body portion 102 b as well. The hand clearances 137 are located near the connector presentation surface 106 and the guide pins 114 a, 114 b for more easily lifting the computer 1 clear of the guide pins 114 a, 114 b and the jaw 112 of the receiver structure 110 opposite.

Additionally, a support arm nest 139 communicates with the docking station's computer bearing surface 104 and one side of the upper body portion 102 a for storing a novel display unit support 142 that is structured for supporting the computer's flat display unit 9.

Additionally, as discussed herein below and more clearly illustrated in subsequent figures, the docking station's expansion connector 108 is electrically coupled to a plurality of peripheral device connectors 135 provided by example and without limitation on a peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 of the lower body portion 102 b. For example, the lower body portion 102 b includes an integral rear housing 140 having the presentation surface 138 provided thereon and formed with a plurality of peripheral device connector seats 136 a, 136 b through 136 n having different peripheral device connectors 135 mounted therein.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station 100 includes a novel display unit support 142 structured for supporting the computer's flat display unit 9 in any convenient orientation relative to the keyboard 7 on the computer's top face 2 b.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view that illustrates the present invention embodied by example and without limitation as a the docking station 100. Here, for clarity the bracket 130 having only the guide pins 116 a, 116 b projected therefrom, without the expansion connector 108.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view that illustrates the present invention embodied by example and without limitation as a the docking station 100. Here, for clarity the bracket 130 having only the guide pins 116 a, 116 b projected therefrom, without the expansion connector 108.

FIG. 8 is another side perspective view that illustrates the present invention embodied by example and without limitation as a the docking station 100. Here, the receiver structure 110 is more clearly illustrated as having the open jaw structure 112 formed between the front portion 111 of the bearing surface 104 and an upper lip 144 which engages the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2, while the front portion 111 of the bearing surface 104 engages the computer casing bottom face 2 a. A recessed throat portion 146 of the receiver structure's jaw 112 is set back between the front portion 111 of the bearing surface 104 and the upper lip 144. The recessed throat portion 146 of the jaw 112 engages the front face 2 c of the computer casing 2.

Here also are illustrated a plurality of edge mounting holes 148 formed along the mutual contact line 103 which also operates as a separation line between the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b of the docking station's two-piece body 102. As discussed herein below, the edge mounting holes 148 each provide novel means for holding a square- or hex-head screw with its threaded shaft extending out of the respective mounting hole 148 substantially parallel with the bearing surface 104 and perpendicular to respective side faces 152 and 154 of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b. Any external device can be threadedly attached to the body 102 by means of a nut threaded to the extended shaft of the screw.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the docking station 100 of the invention that includes a mounting structure 155 that is structured to adapt the docking station 100 for mounting to an external support structure, by example and without limitation, the universally positionable device invented by the inventor of the present invention and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885, which is incorporated herein by reference. By example and without limitation, the mounting structure 155 is provided as a plurality of mounting holes 157 projected from a bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b within an integral ring 159 with optional supports 161 formed as elongated gussets integrally structured between the bottom plane 156 and the ring 159. Other mounting structures 155 are also contemplated and may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

This view further illustrates the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 of the lower body portion 102 b having the a plurality of peripheral device connector seats 136 a, 136 b through 136 n occupied by the different peripheral device connectors 135 including by example and without limitation, a video display output connector, a mouse connector, a keyboard connector, USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector, an external power supply connector, an audio output connector, a microphone input connector, a modem connector, one or more serial connectors, and a parallel connector. These different peripheral device connectors 135 are electrically coupled to the docking station's expansion connector 108, as discussed herein. As illustrated here, the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 is projected from the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b and is optionally oriented substantially perpendicular thereto. Therefore, the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n face across the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b so that the connectors 135 are protected by the integral rear housing 140.

Additionally illustrated here is an external wire harness support 158 that provides strain relief to a plurality of connections between the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the connector seats 136 a-136 n and connectors 160 on a wiring harness 162, as illustrated in subsequent figures. By example and without limitation, the external wire harness support 158 includes one or more individual cable supports 164 a, 164 b through 164 n projected from the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b adjacent to the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 on the integral rear housing 140. As illustrated, each of the one or more individual cable supports 164 a-164 n positioned in close proximity to one of the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n and the different connectors 135 seated therein. Optionally, each of the individual cable supports 164 a-164 n is substantially aligned with one of the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n so that they are substantially aligned with one of the peripheral device connectors 135. Each of the individual cable supports 164 a-164 n provides strain relief for a cable connected to a respective one of the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n. The external wire harness support 158 further includes one or more gang cable supports 166 projected from the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b in a position spaced away from the group of individual cable supports 164 a-164 n, and optionally spaced away from the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 as well. Optionally, one or more additional gang cable supports 166 are provided on the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b in positions that are spaced away from the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 and spaced away from others of the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the peripheral device connector seats 136 j-136 m.

FIG. 10 is another bottom perspective view of the docking station 100 of the invention that includes the wiring harness 162 having a plurality of individual cables 168 each having one of the connectors 160 coupled to a respective one of the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n presented on the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 of the lower body portion 102 b. For clarity and by example and without limitation, the wiring harness 162 is illustrated here having two individual cables 168 a and 168 b each having one of the connectors 160 coupled to one of the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n. The external wire harness support 158 of the invention is illustrated having wire ties 170 tying the individual cables 168 a, 168 b to respective individual cable supports 164 a, 164 b. Furthermore, another of the wire ties 170 straps a group or “gang” of the individual cables 168 a, 168 b to one of the gang supports 166. The wire ties 170 are any wire ties selected from a group of wire ties of various types that are generally well-known in the art. For example, the wire ties 170 may be plastic coated wires, plastic straps with a catch at one end that mates with teeth along one face, and other known wire ties.

Also illustrated are more of the edge mounting holes 148 formed along the mutual contact line 103 between the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b of the docking station's two-piece body 102. Additional one or more of the edge mounting holes 148 are optionally formed along the mutual contact line 103 which extends between respective front faces 172 and 174 of the docking station's upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b.

FIG. 11 is another bottom perspective view of the docking station 100 of the invention that includes the wiring harness 162 having a plurality of individual cables each having one of the connectors 160 coupled to a respective one of the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n presented on the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 of the lower body portion 102 b. For clarity and by example and without limitation, the wiring harness 162 is illustrated here having two individual cables 168 a and 168 b each having one of the connectors 160 coupled to one of the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the peripheral device connector seats 136 b and 136 c. The external wire harness support 158 of the invention is illustrated having wire ties 170 tying the individual cables 168 a, 168 b to respective individual cable supports 164 a, 164 b. Furthermore, another of the wire ties 170 straps a group or “gang” of the individual cables 168 a, 168 b to one of the gang supports 166. The wire ties 170 are any wire ties selected from a group of wire ties of various types that are generally well-known in the art. For example, the wire ties 170 may be plastic coated wires, plastic straps with a catch at one end that mates with teeth along one face, and other known wire ties.

FIG. 12 is a close-up bottom perspective view of the docking station 100 of the invention that includes the wiring harness 162 having a plurality of individual cables 168 each having one of the connectors 160 coupled to a respective one of the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n presented on the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 of the lower body portion 102 b. For clarity and by example and without limitation, the wiring harness 162 is also illustrated here having two individual cables 168 a and 168 b each having one of the connectors 160 coupled to one of the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n. The external wire harness support 158 of the invention is illustrated having wire ties 170 tying the individual cables 168 a, 168 b to respective individual cable supports 164 a, 164 b. Furthermore, another of the wire ties 170 straps a group or “gang” of the individual cables 168 a, 168 b to one of the gang supports 166. The wire ties 170 are any wire ties selected from a group of wire ties of various types that are generally well-known in the art. For example, the wire ties 170 may be plastic coated wires, plastic straps with a catch at one end that mates with teeth along one face, and other known wire ties.

As also illustrated here with respect to the unoccupied individual cable 164 n, each of the individual cable supports 164 a-164 n is formed with a valley 176 that is structured to securely receive the cable 168 a, 168 b thereinto. The valley 176 is spaced away from the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b to the extent that it is substantially aligned with the corresponding one of the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n on the presentation surface 138 of the lower body portion 102 b such that the respective cable 168 a-168 n is substantially straight between the respective cable support 164 a-164 n and the peripheral device connectors 135 seated in the respective peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n. By example and without limitation, the valley 176 is optionally curved in a semi-tubular shape to conform to the typical round cable shape and sized to admit such cable. The cable support 164 n is further shown to include wall portion 178 extended from either side of the curved valley 176 and substantially contiguous therewith and oriented tangentially therewith. The wall portions 178 are optionally crenellated as shown, or continuous.

Clearance is provided for the wire ties 170 between the valley 176 and the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b. By example and without limitation, the wire tie clearance is provided by a tunnel 180 that is extend under and completely through each of the individual cable supports 164 a-164 n directly below and slightly spaced away from the valley 176 and oriented crosswise of the valley 176. Optionally, a slight recess 182 is formed in the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b directly below the valley 176, such that the tunnel 180 is recessed into the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b directly below and slightly spaced away from the valley 176.

FIG. 13 is another close-up bottom perspective view of the docking station's external wire harness support 158 of the invention without the wiring harness 162. As illustrated, the individual cable supports 164 a-164 n are each formed on the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b in a position that is spaced away from a corresponding one of the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n on the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 of the lower body portion 102 b. The valleys 176 are illustrated as being curved in a semi-cylindrical form that is substantially aligned with the corresponding peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n on the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138. Additionally, the valley 176 portion of each cable support 164 a-164 n is illustrated with the wall portion 178 extended from either side thereof and substantially contiguous therewith and oriented tangentially therewith. The wall portions 178 are shown as being optionally crenellated, but the wall portions 178 are optionally continuous.

The tunnel 180 is illustrated here as an optional single common tunnel having the optional recess 182 extending under all of the individual cable supports 164 a-164 n and beyond them to either end 184 and 186.

The gang support 166 is illustrated as being formed with a substantial body portion 200 spaced from the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b on spaced apart legs 202 that are projected from the bottom plane 156. Furthermore, one of the gang supports 166 is illustrated as including a tunnel 188 formed thereunder and having an optional recess 189 recessed into the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b substantially crosswise thereof. Optionally, the tunnel 188 extends therebeyond to either side 190 and 192.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view that shows the cable supports 164 a-164 n of the external wire harness support 158 each being formed with a substantial body portion 194 projected from the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b. The valley 176 is formed in the body 194 distal of the bottom plane 156, and the crenellated wall portions 178 extended therefrom. The tunnel 180 is illustrated here as the optional single common tunnel having the optional recess 182 extending under all of the individual cable supports 164 a-164 n and beyond them to either end 184 and 186. Furthermore, the tunnel 180 is illustrated here as being formed completely through the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b.

The cables 168 a, 168 b are shown seated in the valleys 176 of the respective cable supports 164 a, 164 b of the docking station's external wire harness support 158. The cables 168 a, 168 b are secured in place by the wire ties 170 wrapped around the body portion 194 a, 194 b of the respective cable supports 164 a, 164 b. Furthermore, the wire ties 170 pass through embrasures 196 between spaced apart merlons 198 that form the crenellated wall portions 178.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the external wire harness support 158 that shows a side view of the cable supports 164 a-164 n and an end cross-sectional view of one of the gang supports 166 projected from the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b. The cables 168 a, 168 b are shown seated in the valleys 176 of the respective cable supports 164 a, 164 b and being secured in place by the wire ties 170 wrapped around the respective body portion 194 a, 194 b thereof. Furthermore, the wire ties 170 are shown passing through the embrasures 196 between the spaced apart merlons 198 that form the crenellated wall portions 178.

In the end cross-sectional view of the gang support 166, the gang support 166 is illustrated as being formed with the substantial body portion 200 that is projected from the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b on the spaced apart legs 202 (one shown, more clearly shown in FIG. 13). The cables 168 a, 168 b are gathered together and secured in place by a single wire tie 170 wrapped around the body portion 200. Furthermore, that form the crenellated wall portions 178. Optionally, the gang support 166 is substantially the same as the cable supports 164 a-164 n and includes the crenellated wall portions 178 spaced apart on either lengthwise side 190, 192 of the body portion 200 and formed distal of the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b, and the wire tie 170 pass through embrasures 196 between spaced apart merlons 198 of the crenellated wall portions 178.

FIG. 16 is perspective view inside the upper body portion 102 a and illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the present invention as well as features of the upper body portion 102 a that operate with the expansion connector drive mechanism 118. By example and without limitation the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 is formed of a single-piece elongated frame 204 having a substantially planar interface surface 233 (shown in one or more subsequent figures). A follower mechanism 206 is provided by example and without limitation as an elongated lengthwise inner slot that extends substantially along a longitudinal axis L thereof for nearly the entire length of the frame 204 within a retention plate 207. An integral expanded connector seat 208 is positioned at a first distal or far end 210 of the frame 204 for mounting the expansion connector 108 thereon.

An inner surface 224 of the upper body portion's substantially rigid bearing plate 105 opposite from the bearing surface 104 includes a guide mechanism 226 that cooperates with the inner slot 206 to guide the frame 204 substantially along a drive axis DA that is substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis L of the slot 206. The inner slot follower mechanism 206 of the frame 204 thus cooperates with the guide mechanism 226 for moving the frame 204 across the inner surface 224 of the upper body portion 102 a along the drive axis DA with the frame's substantially planar interface surface 233 moving substantially parallel with the inner surface 224 of the bearing plate 105. Here, the interior of the guide mechanism 226 is exposed for clarity. By example and without limitation, the guide mechanism 226 is formed by two guides 228 arranged on the upper body portion's inner surface 224 in spaced apart positions along the drive axis DA. The guides 228 cooperate with a guide mechanism support structure 229 provided on the upper body portion 102 a for supporting the guide mechanism 226 for motion relative to the inner surface 224 of the substantially rigid bearing plate 105. See, FIG. 21. By example and without limitation, the supporting structure 229 is provided by clearance holes 230 at two or more places in the bearing plate 105 spaced apart substantially along the drive axis DA and each sized to accept a fastener 236 therethrough for constraining the frame 204 to move along the drive axis DA. See, FIG. 21.

Optionally, the guides 228 are rotating disk guides formed as wheels or rollers that rotate about the respective fasteners 236. The supporting structure 229 optionally includes oversized axles or hubs 232 that interface the guides 228 with the upper body portion's inner surface 224 and the fasteners 236. When the guides 228 are formed as wheels or rollers and the supporting structure 229 includes axles or hubs 232, the guides 228 rotate about respective axles or hubs 232 of the supporting structure 229. The axles or hubs 232 may be configured to space the rotating disk guides 228 slightly away from the upper body portion's inner surface 224 for easier rotation.

Alternatively, by example and without limitation, the two guides 228 are optionally provided as one or more slides fixed to the inner surface 224 of the upper body portion 102 a and permit the frame 204 to slide freely along the drive axis DA. As described herein below, the frame 204 is constrained relative to the guides 228 to move across the upper body portion's inner surface 224 along the drive axis DA.

When mounted on the connector seat 208 at the far end 210 of the frame 204, the expansion connector 108 fits within the cavity portion 128 of the housing 126 and extends above the bearing surface 104 of the upper body portion 102 a. The frame 204 is moveable, either by sliding or rolling, in cooperation with the guide mechanism 226 across the inner surface 224 of the upper body portion 102 a and along the drive axis DA.

The expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the invention also provides a small amount of lateral play (indicated by arrow 241) such that the connector seat 208 is permitted to move laterally relative to the upper body portion's inner surface 224 and the bearing surface 104 on the opposite surface of the bearing plate 105 and substantially crosswise of the drive axis DA. For example, the follower mechanism or slot 206 fits with sufficient play on the guides 228 that the frame 204 is permitted sufficient lateral play along arrow 241 that lateral play the connector seat 208 permits the expansion connector 108 securely mounted thereon to move laterally relative to the bearing surface 104 of the upper body portion's bearing plate 105. Thus, although is securely mounted on the bracket 130 without appreciable lateral play, the connector seat 208 actually has sufficient lateral play through the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the invention to establish both a nominal docking position of the expansion connector 108 relative to the computer's I/O connector 4 and a final insertion position of the pin receptors or pins (shown) 122 relative to the I/O connector's pin receptors (or pins) 4 c. Thus, the complexity of the prior art bracket 18, as discussed herein above, is eliminated, while the positioning function is maintained as a feature of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the invention.

An integral catch mechanism 212 and integral handle 214 are both positioned adjacent to a second proximal or near end 216 of the frame 204 opposite from the connector seat 208. The handle 214 may be provided, by example and without limitation, on one side 218 of the frame 204, while the catch mechanism 212 may be provided, by example and without limitation, at the near end 216. The catch mechanism 212 is structured to cooperate with the locking latch mechanism 134 for securely fixing the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 relative to the upper body portion 102 a of the docking station 100 with the bracket 130 holding the expansion connector 108 and guide arms 116 a, 116 b on either side thereof in a deployed position, i.e., with the expansion connector 108 outside the cavity 128 and extended over the bearing surface 104. By example and without limitation, the frame's integral catch mechanism 212 includes a lip portion 242 of the that engages either the optional lock mechanism 134, or an alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 (shown here), which is optionally substituted.

As illustrated here, the alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 is substituted for the optional locking latch mechanism 134. The alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 similarly constrains the expansion connector 108 to remain in the deployed position, as described herein. By example and without limitation, the alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 is a flexible latch mechanism of the type illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/064,777 filed in the name of the inventor of the present invention on Feb. 23, 2005, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Alternatively, when present, the optional locking mechanism 134 lockingly secures the expansion connector 108 in the deployed position.

The sensing mechanism 123 is provided as a security mechanism 220 that is structured to cooperate with the safety catch 124 to resist deployment of the expansion connector 108 until the computer 1 is seated against the bearing surface 104 and the computer's I/O connector 4 is positioned to receive the expansion connector 108. By example and without limitation, the security mechanism 220 is provided in an integral security plate 221 formed, by example and without limitation, along the side 218 of the frame 204 and spaced away from the lengthwise inner slot 206, for example, between the connector seat 208 and the handle 214. The security mechanism 220 is provided as a keyhole 222 formed in the security plate 221, the keyhole 222 being structured for cooperating with the safety catch 124 such that, when the safety catch 124 is engaged with the keyhole 222, the frame 204 cannot be moved relative to the casing's upper body portion 102 a. Furthermore, when the safety catch 124 is disengaged from the cooperating keyhole 222 in the security plate 221, the frame 204 is free to move along the longitudinal axis L.

The novel expansion connector drive mechanism 118 is operated by first depressing the safety catch 124 relative to the bearing surface 104 of the upper body portion 102 a, for example by seating the bottom face 2 a of the computer casing 2 against the bearing surface 104. Depressing the safety catch 124 simultaneously disengages the safety catch 124 of the security mechanism 220 from the cooperating keyhole portion 222 in the security plate 221, which thereby permits the frame 204 to move along the frame drive axis DA. The handle 214 of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 is pulled along the drive axis DA toward the front face 172 of the casing's upper body portion 102 a, which in turn pulls the expansion connector 108 and the guide arms 116 a, 116 b on either side thereof into the deployed position described herein, i.e., with the expansion connector 108 outside the cavity 128 and extended over the bearing surface 104. The lip portion 242 of the frame's integral catch mechanism 212 engages either the optional lock mechanism 134, or alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 (shown here), which constrains the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 in the deployed position.

An optional retraction mechanism 246 is operated for retracting the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position by driving the frame 204 along the drive axis DA away from the upper body portion's front face 172 toward its rear face 248. By example and without limitation, the retraction mechanism 246 includes a resilient biasing mechanism 250, such as a tension spring (shown), that is coupled between the rear face 248 of the upper body portion 102 a and the second or near end 216 of the frame 204 adjacent to the handle 214. The biasing mechanism 250 operates between the rear face 248 and the near end 216 of the frame 204 for pulling the frame 204 toward the rear face 248. The biasing mechanism 250 thereby operates to automatically retract the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position when the locking latch mechanism 134 or non-locking latch mechanism 234 (shown here) is operated to release the frame's integral catch mechanism 212. Alternatively, as illustrated, the spring 250 is coupled between a stanchion 251 near the rear face 248 and the near end 216 of the frame 204 for retracting the expansion connector 108.

Furthermore, the resilient biasing mechanism or tension spring 250 being mounted on one side 218 of the frame 204 offset of the drive axis DA provides leverage to the force applied by the spring 250. Therefore, the spring 250 also biases the frame 204 on the guides 228 relative to the upper body portion's inner surface 224 crosswise of the drive axis DA. Accordingly, the spring 250 also pulls the inner slot 206 of the frame 204 against the guides 228 so that the connector seat 208 and the expansion connector 108 securely mounted thereon are biased laterally relative to the upper body portion's inner surface 224 and the bearing surface 104 on the opposite surface of the bearing plate 105 and substantially crosswise of the drive axis DA. The lateral bias provided by the offset biasing mechanism 250 stabilizes the expansion connector 108 relative to the computer's I/O connector 4 for reducing effects on the interconnection of shocks and vibrations experienced by the docking station 100. The novel expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the invention thus further improves the interconnection of expansion connector 108 with the computer's I/O connector 4 over the prior art docking station's expansion connector 15, as discussed above.

As disclosed herein, the safety catch 124 will not interfere with the retraction mechanism 246 retracting the frame 204. However, another biasing mechanism 252 (shown in subsequent figures) operates to reset the sensing means for sensing that the computer's casing 2 is emplaced on the docking station's bearing surface 104 before the expansion connector drive 118 can be operated.

FIG. 17 illustrates the alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 by example and without limitation as a flexible latch mechanism of the type illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/064,777, which is incorporated herein in its entirety, for latching the expansion connector 108 in the deployed position. As illustrated here by example and without limitation the alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 includes a latch 244 having a tooth 254 positioned at one end of a flexible arm 256 that is integrally (shown) or separately attached at its opposite end to the upper body portion 102 a, such as to the front face 172 thereof. Inclined surfaces 257 and 258 cooperate to allow the tooth 254 to automatically engage the lip portion 242 of the frame's integral catch mechanism 212 when the frame 204 is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector 108, i.e., when the near end 216 of the frame 204 is pulled close to the front face 172 of the upper body portion 102 a. A handle 260 is provided on the flexible arm 256 or another part of the alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 for disengaging the tooth 254 from the frame's lip portion 242, which releases the frame 204 for retracting the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position.

FIG. 18 illustrates the guide mechanism 226 that cooperates with the inner slot 206 to guide the frame 204 substantially along the drive axis DA. As discussed above, the frame 204 is constrained to move along the two guides 228 relative to the upper body portion's inner surface 224 along the drive axis DA. Here, by example and without limitation one or more keepers 240 are secured to the upper body portion's inner surface 224 by one or more fasteners 236 through clearance holes 230 in the bearing plate 105 for constraining the frame 204 to move along the drive axis DA. See, FIG. 21. The one or more keepers 240 also operate to constrain the guide discs 228; when present, in a position for cooperating with the inner slot 206 of the frame 204. Other structures for the guide mechanism 226 are also contemplated and may be substituted without deviating from the scope and intent of the present invention. For example, the one or more keepers 240 are provided by a pair of disk shaped keepers, i.e., flat washers, that are secured to the upper body portion's inner surface 224 by the fasteners 236 for constraining the frame 204 to move along the drive axis DA.

FIG. 19 illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the present invention as well as features of the upper body portion 102 a that operate with the expansion connector drive mechanism 118. Here, the frame 204 is shown adjacent to the rear face 248 of the upper body portion 102 a with the expansion connector 108 retracted from its deployed position. However, the security mechanism 220 is disengaged by having the safety catch 124 disengaged from the cooperating keyhole 222 in the security plate 221 so that the frame 204 is free to move along the drive axis DA. As illustrated here, the biasing mechanism 252 is shown as a compression spring that operates between the safety catch 124 and, for example, an inner surface 253 of the lower body portion 102 b (omitted here for clarity, shown in FIG. 25) to drive the safety catch 124 into security plate 221 and reset the docking station's computer sensing means.

FIG. 20 illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the present invention with the frame 204 is shown adjacent to the front face 172 of the upper body portion 102 a with the expansion connector 108 in its deployed position extended over the bearing surface 104. Here, the biasing mechanism 250 is shown as being in an expanded state for pulling the frame 204 toward the rear face 248 when the security mechanism 220 is subsequently disengaged. The biasing mechanism 250 thereupon operates to retract the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position when the optional lock mechanism 134 is operated to release the frame's integral catch mechanism 212.

FIG. 21 is a section view taken substantially along a drive axis DA of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118. This figure illustrates the supporting structure indicated generally two places at 229 for supporting the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 relative to the inner surface 224 of the substantially rigid bearing plate 105. As discussed herein, the supporting structure 229 is provided by the clearance holes 230 in the bearing plate 105. Here, the supporting structure 229 additionally includes the optional integral axles or hubs 232 formed integrally with the inner wall surface 224 of the device bearing plate 105. Alternatively, the axles or hubs 232 are independent of the inner surface 224 of the bearing plate 105, e.g., loose washers, held in place by the fasteners 236 through the clearance holes 230. The fasteners 236 inserted through the clearance holes 230 constrain the frame 204 of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 to move along the drive axis DA.

This figure also illustrates the novel guide mechanism 226 of the invention having the movable frame 204 shifted toward the front face 172 of the upper body portion 102 a such that the integral connector seat 208 is positioned to place the expansion connector 108 (removed for clarity) in the deployed position relative to the bearing surface 104. As illustrated here, the guide mechanism 226 is formed by the two guides 228 arranged on the upper body portion's inner surface 224 in spaced apart positions along the drive axis DA within the cooperating inner slot 206 of the frame 204. By example and without limitation, the two guides 228 are illustrated here as wheels or rollers that rotate about respective axles or hubs 232 provided on the upper body portion's inner surface 224. The frame 204 is constrained to move relative to the upper body portion's inner surface 224 along the drive axis DA by a single one piece keeper 240 that is held in place by the two fasteners 236.

As illustrated here the optionally lock mechanism 134 constrains the expansion connector 108 to remain in the deployed position, as described herein.

The latch on the upper body portion 102 a for securely fixing the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 relative to the upper body portion 102 a of the docking station 100 is illustrated here as the lock mechanism 134. As illustrated, the lock mechanism 134 includes a retractable tooth 262 positioned at one end of a lock cylinder 264 that is attached at its opposite end 265 to the upper body portion 102 a, such as to the front face 172 thereof. An inclined lead surface 266 allows the to tooth 262 to automatically engage the lip portion 242 of the frame's integral catch mechanism 212 when the frame 204 is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector 108, i.e., when the near end 216 of the frame 204 is pulled close to the front face 172 of the upper body portion 102 a. A key 268 is applied to a key hole 270 in the lock cylinder 264 for disengaging the tooth 262 from the frame's lip portion 242, which releases the frame 204 for retracting the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position.

FIG. 22 illustrates the docking station 100 being in an initial state of readiness to accept the computer 1 (shown in phantom) with the bottom face 2 a of the casing 2 spaced away from the docking station's bearing surface 104. Here, the expansion connector 108 is mounted on the connector seat 208 at the far end 210 of the frame 204, and the expansion connector 108 along with the two guide pins or arms 116 a, 116 b that are positioned on opposite sides thereof are fully retracted within the cavity portion 128 of the housing 126 adjacent to the bearing surface 104 at the rear face 248 of the upper body portion 102 a.

As discussed herein, when the safety catch 124 of the optional sensing mechanism 123 is engaged with the keyhole 222 in the security plate 221, as shown, the frame 204 cannot be moved relative to the casing's upper body portion 102 a and the bearing surface 104. Furthermore, the expansion connector 108 and guide pins or arms 116 a, 116 b are likewise cannot be moved out of the cavity 128 to interfere with seating the computer 1. For example, a stem portion 272 of the safety catch 124 projects above the bearing surface 104 where the computer 1 is to be seated. The stem 272 is sized to pass through both a narrow elongated slot portion 274 at a distal end of the keyhole 222, and a clearance passage 276 through the bearing surface 104. Furthermore, the stem portion 272 is cooperatively sized with the narrow slot portion 274 to slide freely along a substantial length thereof, which thus permits the frame 204 to move between the fully retracted position (shown here) and the fully deployed position (shown in subsequent figures). The stem portion 272 of the safety catch 124 extends from a base portion 278 having a shoulder 280 that is oversized relative to the passage 276 so that the upper body portion's inner surface 224 on the backside of the bearing surface 104 operates as a stop for the safety catch 124. Furthermore, the base portion 278 of the safety catch 124 is too large to pass through the narrow slot portion 274 of the keyhole 222. However, the keyhole 222 includes an enlarged passage 282 that communicates with a near end 284 of the slot portion 274 and is sized to pass the base portion 278 of the safety catch 124. As discussed herein; the safety catch 124 is structured to cooperate with the biasing mechanism 252 that operates to reset the sensing means for sensing that the computer's casing 2 is emplaced on the docking station's bearing surface 104 before the expansion connector drive 118 can be operated. By example and without limitation, when the biasing mechanism 252 is a conventional compression spring, as illustrated here, the base portion 278 of the safety catch 124 is structured with a cavity or pocket 286 that is sized to admit a first end portion 288 of the spring 252 and orient the spring 252 along a drive axis DS of the safety catch 124 that is by example and without limitation oriented substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface 104 of the upper body portion 102 a. A second end portion 290 of the spring 252 is compressed against the inner surface 253 of the lower body portion 102 b (omitted here for clarity). Accordingly, the spring 252 operates against the inner surface 253 of the lower body portion 102 b to drive the safety catch 124 through the security plate 221 and the passage 276 to project from the bearing surface 104. Thus, the docking station's computer sensing mechanism 123 is set and the expansion connector 108 is secure against being inadvertently deployed.

FIG. 23 illustrates the docking station 100 being in an intermediate state of accepting the computer 1 (shown in phantom) with the bottom face 2 a of the casing 2 seated against the docking station's bearing surface 104. Here, the expansion connector 108 is mounted on the connector seat 208 at the far end 210 of the frame 204, and the expansion connector 108 along with the two guide pins or arms 116 a, 116 b on opposite sides thereof are still fully retracted within the cavity portion 128 of the housing 126 adjacent to the bearing surface 104 at the rear face 248 of the upper body portion 102 a.

As discussed herein, when the bottom face 2 a of the casing 2 is seated against the docking station's bearing surface 104, as shown, the compression spring of the biasing mechanism 252 is compressed against the inner surface 253 of the lower body portion 102 b (shown in a subsequent figure, removed here for clarity). Accordingly, the safety catch 124 is pushed into the passage 276 and flush with the bearing surface 104. Simultaneously, the safety catch's base portion 278, which is oversized relative to the narrow slot portion 274 of the keyhole 222, is pushed through the keyhole 222 and completely out of the security plate 221. Only the stem portion 272 of the safety catch 124 now extends through the narrow slot portion 274 of the keyhole 222. Thus, the docking station's computer sensing mechanism 123 recognizes the presence of the computer 1 as being firmly seated against the bearing surface 104, and the expansion connector 108 can now be safely deployed.

FIG. 24 illustrates the docking station 100 being in final state of accepting the computer 1 (shown in phantom) with the bottom face 2 a of the casing 2 seated against the docking station's bearing surface 104. Furthermore, the expansion connector 108 mounted on the connector seat 208 is positioned to engage the computer's I/O connector 4. Here, the expansion connector 108 and the two guide pins or arms 116 a, 116 b on opposite sides thereof are shown as being deployed out of the cavity portion 128 of the housing 126 of the upper body portion 102 a. Accordingly, as discussed herein, engagement of the guide pins or arms 116 a, 116 b with the respective interface apertures 4 a, 4 b fine tunes positioning of the expansion connector 108 relative to the computer's I/O connector 4, whereby operation of the expansion connector drive 118 has here caused the expansion connector 108 to engage the computer's I/O connector 4, and has here caused the pins (or pin receptors) 122 to engage the pin receptors (or pins) 4 c.

As discussed herein, when the bottom face 2 a of the casing 2 is seated against the docking station's bearing surface 104, as shown here, the compression spring of the biasing mechanism 252 is compressed, against the inner surface 253 of the lower body portion 102 b (shown in a subsequent figure, removed here for clarity). With the safety catch 124 being pushed into the passage 276 and flush with the bearing surface 104, the stem portion 272 of the safety catch 124 is freely moved along the narrow slot portion 274 of the keyhole 222. When only the stem portion 272 of the safety catch 124 extends through the narrow slot portion 274 of the keyhole 222, as here, the security plate 221 is moved along the drive axis DA toward the front face 172 of the upper body portion 102 a for deploying the expansion connector 108. Thus, when the computer 1 is firmly seated against the bearing surface 104, the expansion connector 108 can now be fully deployed (as illustrated) by moving the frame 204 along the drive axis DA. For example, the frame's handle 214 (shown in previous figures) is pulled toward the front face 172 of the upper body portion 1102 a.

The lip portion 242 of the frame's integral catch mechanism 212 is fully engaged with the lock mechanism 134 provided on the upper body portion 102 a. Accordingly, the expansion connector 108 and guide arms 116 a, 116 b on either side thereof are configured in the deployed position described herein, i.e., out of the cavity 128 and extended over the bearing surface 104 for coupling with the computer 1. Until released, the lock mechanism 134 thus constrains the expansion connector 108 to remain in the deployed position, as described herein.

When present, the locking latch mechanism 134 is released by application of the key 268 to the key hole 270 and subsequent operation thereof. Else, the alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 is operated by application of pressure against the latch handle 260.

Upon release of either the locking latch mechanism 134 or non-locking latch mechanism 234, the retraction mechanism 246, for example the tension spring shown, automatically retracts the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 from its deployed position along with the expansion connector 108. As illustrated by example and without limitation, the frame 204 is automatically retracted from the deployed position adjacent to the front face 172 of the upper body portion 102 a toward the retracted position adjacent to the rear face 248. The guide mechanism 226 cooperates with the inner slot 206 to guide the frame 204 toward the retracted position substantially along the drive axis DA. Retraction of the frame 204 simultaneously retracts the expansion connector 108 seated thereon from the computer 1 and into the safe position within the cavity 128 of the integral housing portion 126 of the casing upper body 102 a adjacent the rear 115 of the bearing surface 104, where the expansion connector 108 is out of harm's way during removal of the computer 1, as illustrated and discussed herein.

FIG. 25 illustrates the docking station 100 being in final state of accepting the computer 1 (removed for clarity). Furthermore, the expansion connector 108 mounted on the connector seat 208 is positioned to engage the computer's I/O connector 4, as discussed herein. Here, the expansion connector 108 and the two guide pins or arms 116 a, 116 b on opposite sides thereof are shown as being deployed out of the cavity portion 128 of the housing 126 of the upper body portion 102 a by operation of the expansion connector drive 118, as discussed herein.

As discussed herein, when the bottom face 2 a of the casing 2 is seated against the docking station's bearing surface 104, as shown in previous figures, the compression spring of the biasing mechanism 252 is compressed against the inner surface 253 of the lower body portion 102 b. By example and without limitation, a cavity or pocket 292 is provided on the inner surface 253 of the lower body portion 102 b, the pocket 292 being sized to admit the second end portion 290 of the spring 252 opposite from the pocket 286 in the safety catch base portion 278, and being structured to cooperate with the pocket 286 in the safety catch base portion 278 for orienting the spring 252 along the drive axis DS of the safety catch 124. The spring 252 is thus compressed between the two pockets 286 and 292 for driving the safety catch 124 through the security plate 221 and the passage 276 to project from the bearing surface 104. Thus, the spring 252 operates to set the docking station's computer sensing mechanism 123 for securing the expansion connector 108 against inadvertent deployment.

FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 are respective top and bottom perspective views that together illustrate one embodiment of the frame 204 portion of the expansion connector drive 118 of the invention. Here, the single-piece elongated frame 204 is illustrated having the elongated lengthwise inner slot 206 extending nearly the entire length thereof substantially along the longitudinal axis L thereof. The integral expanded connector seat 208 is positioned at the first distal or far end 210 for mounting the expansion connector 108 thereon, and includes a pattern of several mounting holes 294 for attaching the expansion connector 108. The integral catch mechanism 212 and integral handle 214 portions are both positioned adjacent to the second proximal or near end 216 of the frame 204 opposite from the connector seat 208. The handle 214 may be provided, by examples and without limitation, on one side 218 of the frame 204, while the catch mechanism 212 may be provided, by example and without limitation, at the near end 216. As discussed herein, the catch mechanism 212 includes the lip portion 242 that is structured to cooperate with either the locking latch mechanism 134 or alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 for securely fixing the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 relative to the upper body portion 102 a of the docking station 100 with the expansion connector 108 in a deployed position. As illustrated here by example and without limitation the lip portion 242 is integrally formed with the inclined surface 258 that cooperates with the inclined surface 257 of the latch mechanism's tooth 254 for helping the to tooth 254 to automatically engage the lip portion 242 when the frame 204 is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector 108.

The inclined surface 258 of the lip portion 242 similarly cooperates with the inclined surface 266 of the retractable tooth 262 of the optional lock mechanism 134, when present. The inclined surface 258 similarly helps the to tooth 262 to automatically engage the lip portion 242 when the frame 204 is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector 108.

The security mechanism 220 is structured to cooperate with the safety catch 124 to resist deployment of the expansion connector 108 until the computer 1 is seated against the bearing surface 104. Accordingly, the frame 204 includes the integral security plate 221 formed along the side 218 thereof and spaced away from the lengthwise inner slot 206 between the connector seat 208 and the handle 214. The keyhole 222 is formed in the security plate 221 with the narrow slot portion 274 formed substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis L and having the enlarged passage 282 communicating with the proximal or near end 284 thereof.

The second proximal or near end 216 of the frame 204 includes means for coupling the resilient biasing mechanism 250 for retracting the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position along the drive axis DA. By example and without limitation, the second proximal or near end 216 of the frame 204 includes a simple clearance hole 298 for coupling the biasing mechanism 250, i.e., spring 252, between it and the rear face 248 of the upper body portion 102 a, as shown in FIG. 16. The resilient biasing mechanism 250 thus operates between the upper body portion's rear face 248 and the near end 216 of the frame 204 for retracting the expansion connector drive 118 from the deployed position when the locking latch mechanism 134 or alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 is operated to release the frame's integral catch mechanism 212.

FIG. 28 is perspective view inside the upper body portion 102 a and illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the present invention having a simplified single-piece elongated frame 304 having an elongated lengthwise inner slot 306 extending nearly the entire length of the frame 304 substantially along a longitudinal axis LA thereof. An integral expanded connector seat 308 is positioned at a first distal or far end 310 of the frame 304 for mounting the expansion connector 108 thereon. An integral catch mechanism 312 and integral handle portion 314 are both positioned adjacent to a second proximal or near end 316 of the frame 304 opposite from the connector seat 308. The handle 314 may be provided, by example and without limitation, on an arm 317 extended from one side 318 of the frame 304, while the catch mechanism 312 may be provided, by example and without limitation, at the near end 316. The catch mechanism 312 is structured to cooperate with either the locking latch mechanism 134 or alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 for constraining the expansion connector 108 to remain in the deployed position, as described herein.

The lengthwise slot 306 in the alternate frame 304 cooperates with the guide mechanism 226 on the inner surface 224 of the upper body portion 102 a opposite from the bearing surface 104 for guiding the frame 304 substantially along the drive axis DA, as described herein. By example and without limitation, lengthwise slot 306 cooperates with the two guides 228 of the guide mechanism 226 that are arranged on the upper body portion's inner surface 224 in spaced apart positions along the drive axis DA. By example and without limitation, the two guides 228 are optionally provided as one or more slides that permit the frame 304 to slide freely along the drive axis DA. Alternatively, the guides 228 are optionally formed as wheels or rollers that rotate about respective axles or hubs 232 provided on the upper body portion's inner surface 224. The axles or hubs 232 may be configured to space the guides 228 slightly away from the upper body portion's inner surface 224 for easier rotation. The frame 304 is constrained to move relative to the upper body portion's inner surface 224 along the drive axis DA by one or more keepers 240 (shown in phantom). For example, a pair of disc-shaped keepers 240 are secured to the upper body portion's inner surface 224 by one or more fasteners 236 for constraining the frame 304 to move along the drive axis DA. The one or more keepers 240 also operate to constrain the guide wheels 228, when present, in a position for cooperating with the inner slot 306 of the frame 304. Other structures for the guide mechanism 226 are also contemplated and may be substituted without deviating from the scope and intent of the present invention.

The alternate frame 304 is structured such that, when the expansion connector 108 is mounted on the connector seat 308 at the far end 310 of the frame 304, it fits within the cavity portion 128 of the housing 126 and extends above the bearing surface 104 of the upper body portion 102 a. The alternate frame 304 is moveable, either by sliding or rolling, in cooperation with the guide mechanism 226 across the inner surface 224 of the upper body portion 102 a and along the drive axis DA.

A security mechanism 320 is structured to cooperate with the safety catch 124 to resist deployment of the expansion connector 108 until the computer 1 is seated against the bearing surface 104 and the computer's I/O connector 4 is positioned to receive the expansion connector 108. Similar to the security mechanism 220 of the frame 204 discussed herein, by example and without limitation, the security mechanism 320 of the alternate frame 304 is provided in an integral security plate 321 formed, by example and without limitation, along the side 318 of the frame 304 and spaced away from the lengthwise inner slot 306, for example, between the connector seat 308 and the handle 314. The security mechanism 320 is provided as a keyhole 322 formed in the security plate 321, the keyhole 322 being structured for cooperating with the safety catch 124 such that, when the safety catch 124 is engaged with the keyhole 322, the frame 304 cannot be moved relative to the casing's upper body portion 102 a. For example, the keyhole 322 includes at a distal end thereof a narrow slot portion 324 sized to freely move the stem portion 272 of the safety catch 124 along a substantial length thereof so that the frame 304 is permitted to move between the fully retracted position (shown here) and the fully deployed position (shown in previous figures). The keyhole 322 also includes an enlarged passage 326 that communicates with a near end 328 of the slot portion 324 and is sized to pass the base portion 278 of the safety catch 124 for disarming the safety catch 124.

Similar to the novel expansion connector drive mechanism 118 operated with the frame 204, here the novel expansion connector drive mechanism 118 of the invention is operated by first depressing the safety catch 124 relative to the bearing surface 104 of the upper body portion 102 a, for example by seating the bottom face 2 a of the computer casing 2 against the bearing surface 104. Depressing the safety catch 124 simultaneously disengages the safety catch 124 of the security mechanism 320 from the cooperating keyhole portion 322 in the security plate 321, which thereby permits the frame 304 to move along the frame drive axis DA. The handle 314 of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 is pulled parallel to the drive axis DA toward the front face 172 of the casing's upper body portion 102 a, which in turn pulls the expansion connector 108 and guide arms 116 a, 116 b on either side thereof into the deployed position described herein, i.e., the expansion connector 108 outside the cavity 128 and extended over the bearing surface 104. A integral lip portion 330 of the frame's integral catch mechanism 312 engages either the locking latch mechanism 134 (shown) or the alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 provided on the upper body portion 102 a. The locking latch mechanism 134 (shown) or alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 constrains the expansion connector 108 to remain in the deployed position, as described herein. As illustrated, the a retractable tooth 262 of the lock mechanism 134 automatically engages the lip 330 when the alternate frame 304 is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector 108 as discussed herein. For example, an inclined lead surface 332 on the frame's lip portion 330 cooperates with the lead surface 258 to automatically engage the tooth 262 of the lock mechanism 134 when the alternate frame 304 is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector 108.

The retraction mechanism 246 automatically retracts the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position by pulling the frame 304 along the drive axis DA away from the upper body portion's front face 172 toward its rear face 248. By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism 250, such as a tension spring (shown), is coupled between the rear face 248 and a simple catchment 334 at the second or near end 316 of the frame 304 adjacent to the handle 314. The biasing mechanism 250 operates between the rear face 248 the catchment 334 for retracting the frame 304 toward the rear face 248. The biasing mechanism 250 thereby operates to retract the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position when the locking latch mechanism 134 (shown) or alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234 is operated to release the frame's integral catch mechanism 312.

Alternatively, a compression spring 335 is substituted for the compression spring as the biasing mechanism 250 of the retraction mechanism 246 for automatically retracting the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position. The compression spring 335 operates by pushing the frame 304 along the drive axis DA away from the upper body portion's front face 172 toward its rear face 248.

As disclosed herein, the safety catch 124 will not interfere with retraction of the alternate frame 304. However, the biasing mechanism 252 operates to reset the sensing means for sensing that the computer's casing 2 is emplaced on the docking station's bearing surface 104 before the expansion connector drive 118 can be operated.

FIG. 29 is an upside-down close-up view showing the edge mounting holes 148 formed along the mutual contact line 103 between the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b of the docking station's two-piece body 102. As discussed herein, the edge mounting holes 148 each provide novel means for holding for example but not limited to a square- or hex-shaped mechanical nut N with its threaded bore aligned with the respective mounting hole 148 substantially parallel with the bearing surface 104 and perpendicular to respective side faces 152 and 154 of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b. Any external device can be threadedly attached to the body 102 by means of the shaft S of a screw or bolt B being inserted into a selected one of the edge mounting holes 148 and threaded into the bore of the nut N.

The edge mounting holes 148 are formed by a pair of mating shapes 336 and 338 formed in the docking station's two-piece body 102 through the mating upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b. The shapes 336, 338 meet along the mutual contact line 103. By example and without limitation, the edge mounting holes 148 are formed by a pair of mating semi-circular holes 336 and 338 formed in the docking station's two-piece body 102 through the mating upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b along the mutual contact line 103. However, the mating holes 336, 338 may alternatively be different in shape from semi-circular, for example, the holes 336, 338 may be mating rectangular shapes that form a square hole when mated, or semi-hexagonal shapes that form a hexagonal shape when mated, or another combination of shapes that form an aperture adjacent to the mating line 103 of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b, and such shapes may be substituted for the semi-circular shapes illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the entire shape of the resultant edge mounting holes 148 may be alternatively formed in the edge of either one of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, as illustrated by the edge mounting hole 148 at the far left of the figure, the edge mounting holes 148 may alternatively be formed as a generally “U” or “V” or square-shaped hole 336 entirely within an edge portion 340 of one of the side faces 154 of the lower body portion 102 b, or the front 172 or rear face 248, while the mating hole is entirely eliminated from the upper body portion 102 a, and the shape 338 is an edge portion 342 of an opposite face 154, 174 or 248 of the upper body portion 102 a that is exposed by the hole 336 in the lower body portion 102 b, whereby the edge mounting hole 148 is formed by the shaped hole 336 that is closed by the mating shape 338 of the upper body portion's exposed edge portion 342. Alternatively, as illustrated by the edge mounting hole 148 at the center of the figure, the edge mounting holes 148 may alternatively be formed as a generally “U” or “V” or square-shaped hole 338 entirely within the edge portion 342 of the upper body portion 102 a, while the mating hole 336 is entirely eliminated from the lower body portion 102 b, and the shape 336 is the edge portion 340 of the lower body portion 102 b that is exposed by the hole 338 in the upper body portion 102 a, whereby the edge mounting hole 148 is formed by the shaped hole 338 that is closed by the mating shape 336 of the lower body portion's exposed edge portion 340.

Each of the edge mounting holes 148 is backed by a respective crosswise nut pocket 346 formed by an open well 348. As illustrated by the cross-sectional view of the edge mounting hole 148 and corresponding nut pocket 346, the well 348 of the integral nut pocket 346 is formed in one of the upper body portion 102 a or the lower body portion 102 b (shown). The well 348 is generally rectangular in cross section and extends through the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b past the contact line 103. The well 348 is formed having an opening 350 formed in the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b (shown) or adjacent to the bearing surface 104 in the upper body portion 102 a. The nut pocket's well 348 and opening 350 thereto are sized to admit a nut N of a desired size, such as #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, ¼ inch, or metric size nut or bolt head H. For example, the well 348 is formed by a pair of spaced apart rigid side walls 352 and 354 that extend inwardly of the side face 154 of the lower body portion 102 b and downwardly of the bottom plane 156 and substantially perpendicular to each. The side walls 352; 354 are sufficiently spaced to easily admit the nut N of the desired size without being significantly oversized such that the nut N cannot rotate in the well 348. The side walls 352, 354 may include a slight draft angle from the opening 350 toward the contact line 103. The mating shapes 336, 338 along the contact line 103 are correspondingly sized to admit the shaft of the bolt B sized to mate with the nut N.

FIG. 30 illustrates that an extension portion 356 of each well 348 extends past the contact line 103. The extension portion 356 closes the end of the corresponding well 348. The extension portion 356 is optionally formed integrally with the corresponding well 348, and may optionally be formed into a point having integral bottom walls 358 and 360 that are contiguous along a corner 362 in the central bottom of the nut pocket's well 348. Additionally, the bottom walls 358, 360 may optionally form an included angle 363 therebetween centered about the corner 362, the included angle 363 being constructed to mate with the angled walls of the nut N of the desired size and shape, i.e., square or hex. For example, the included angle 363 between the bottom walls 358, 360 is structured to mate with the nut N such as a square- or hex nut (shown), whereby the nut N is constrained from turning when torque is applied during insertion and tightening of the screw or bolt B. For example, the angle 363 formed by the bottom walls 358, 360 is about 90 degrees to accommodate a square nut. Alternatively, the angle 363 is about 120 degrees to accommodate a hex nut.

The extension portion 356 of the well 348 may be integral with the side walls 352, 354 (shown at center and right) and extended from the upper or lower body portion 102 b (shown) past the contact line 103 toward the opposite lower or upper body portion 102 a (shown). As illustrated (center and right) the nut pockets 346 are optionally fully formed in the selected upper body portion 102 a or lower body portion 102 b (shown) Alternatively, as illustrated by the nut pocket 340 (far left) the extension portion 356 is optionally formed in the opposing body portion 102 a (shown) and positioned to align with the walls 352, 354 of the well 348.

Each nut pocket's well 348 also includes a backing panel 364 that is optionally integral with the well's side walls 352, 354 and is spaced away from the side faces 152 and 154 of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b sufficiently to admit the nut N of desired size. The backing panel 364 is a means for constraining the nut N from backing away from the edge hole 148 when the screw or bolt B is applied thereto.

Also illustrated here is the simplicity of operation of the nut pockets 346. Here, the nut pocket 346 is operated by simply dropping the nut N of the appropriate size through the opening 350 into the well 348 corresponding to the selected edge mounting hole 148 with two of the nut's parallel sides S1 and S2 oriented substantially parallel with the well's side walls 352, 354, as illustrated. Thereafter, the nut N falls into the extension portion 356 at the end of the well 348 and nests between the side walls 352, 354, and the bottom walls 358, 360 of the extension 356 that combine to form the bottom of the well 348. Upon the nut N nesting in the extension portion 356 of the well 348, the nut's threaded bore Nb substantially automatically self aligns with the edge mounting hole 148. Thereafter, the screw or bolt B of the appropriate size is inserted through the corresponding hole 148 and threaded into the nut's bore Nb for attaching a desired edge attachment.

FIG. 31 is a section view of the nut pockets 346 taken from inside the two-piece body 102 of the docking station 100 of the invention. Here, the nut pocket 346 (far left) is illustrated having the extension portion 356 optionally formed in the opposing body portion 102 a (shown) and positioned in alignment with the walls 352, 354 of the well 348. This view also illustrates two of a plurality of optional tabs 366 that extend between the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b for alignment therebetween.

FIG. 32 is a section view of the nut pockets 346 taken from inside the two-piece body 102 of the docking station 100 of the invention. Here, the nut pocket 346 (far left) is illustrated having the extension portion 356 optionally formed in the opposing body portion 102 a (shown) and positioned in alignment with the walls 352, 354 of the well 348. The nut N is illustrated as being installed in the nut pocket 346 with the screw or bolt B inserted through the edge mounting hole 148 and mated with the nut N. The screw or bolt B is thereby positioned to secure an external object O (shown in phantom) to the sides 152, 154 of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b of the docking station 100 of the invention.

FIG. 33 illustrates the nut N installed in the nut pocket 346 with the screw or bolt B inserted through the edge mounting hole 148 and mated with the nut N. The screw or bolt B is thereby positioned to secure the external object O (shown in phantom) to the sides 152, 154 of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b of the docking station 100 of the invention.

FIG. 34 illustrates lower body portion 102 b with the upper body portion 102 a removed for clarity. Here, the nut pockets 346 are illustrated as being optionally fully formed in the selected upper body portion 102 a or lower body portion 102 b (shown). The extension portion 356 of the well 348 is integral with the side walls 352, 354 and extended from the upper or lower body portion 102 b (shown) past the contact line 103 toward the opposite lower or upper body portion 102 a (shown). The nut N is illustrated as being installed in the nut pocket 346 with the screw or bolt B inserted through the edge mounting hole 148 and mated with the nut N.

FIG. 35 illustrates one of the edge mounting holes 148 alternatively formed with a screw or bolt pocket 368 formed by example and without limitation as a pair of mating pockets 370 and 372 (shown in a subsequent figure) integrally formed on inside surfaces 374 and 376 of the respective lower body portion 102 b and upper body portion 102 a and adjacent to the respective edges 340 and 342 thereof. The pocket 370 is formed by example and without limitation as a construction of integral walls 378 interconnected along corners 380 and a backing panel 382 integrated with the walls 378. The pockets 370, 372 mate along the contact line 103 of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b in substantial alignment with the corresponding shaped holes 336, 338 that form the edge mounting hole 148. The screw pockets 368 are optionally formed with a substantially square shape to accommodate a square-head screw or bolt of a desired size, or may be formed with a substantially hexagonal shape (shown) to accommodate a hex-head screw or bolt of the desired size. Each screw pocket 368 is thus structured to mate with the square or hex head of the screw or bolt B, whereby the screw or bolt B is constrained from turning when torque is applied during installation and tightening of the mating nut N for securing the external object.

FIG. 36 is a section view of one of the screw pockets 368 taken from inside the two-piece body 102 of the docking station 100 of the invention. Here, the screw pocket 368 is illustrated having the mating pockets 370 and 372 integrally formed on inside surfaces 374 and 376 of the respective lower body portion 102 b and upper body portion 102 a and adjacent to the respective edges 340 and 342 thereof. The mating pockets 370 and 372 are illustrated with the respective backing panels 382 removed for clarity. The mating pockets 370 and 372 are positioned in alignment with the shaped holes 336, 338 that form the corresponding edge mounting hole 148 (shown in previous figures). The screw pockets 368 are optionally formed with a substantially square shape to accommodate the head H of the square-head screw or bolt B of a desired size, or may be formed with a substantially hexagonal shape (shown) to accommodate a hex-head screw or bolt B of the desired size.

FIG. 37 illustrates the screw pocket 368 being alternatively configured to accommodate a carnage bolt Bc (shown in phantom) wherein the pocket 368 is formed having integral near and far portions 384 and 386 substantially aligned with the shaped nut hole 338 (or 336), and the integral backing panel 364. The near portion 384 adjacent to the wall 152 (or 154) of the body portion 102 a (or 102 b) is formed as one half of a square, either as an approximately 90 degree “V” shape or a rectangle (shown) that is sized to accept a square base portion Bc1 of the carriage bolt head Bch without turning when the nut N is installed and tightened. The far portion 386 spaced away from the wall 152 of the body portion 102 a by the depth of the near portion 384 is structured to accept a round pan portion Bc2 of the carriage bolt Bc. By example and without limitation, the far portion 386 of the screw pocket 368 is a “V” shape or a rectangle shape (shown) aligned with the shaped hole 338 (or 336) and sized to accept the round pan portion Bc2 of the carriage bolt Bc.

FIG. 38 is a section view of the screw or carriage bolt pocket 368 taken from inside the two-piece body 102 of the docking station 100 of the invention. Here, the carriage bolt pocket 368 is illustrated by example and without limitation as having the far portion 386 of the screw pocket 368 being a semi-cylindrical shape aligned with the shaped hole 338 (or 336) and sized to accept the round pan portion Bc2 of the carriage bolt Bc.

FIG. 39 illustrates the novel display unit support 142 of the invention that is structured for supporting the computer's flat display unit 9. The display unit support 142 includes an elongated rigid support arm 388 having a first pivot end portion 390 that is pivotally coupled to the docking station body 102, the rigid support arm 388 being pivotal about a pivot axis 392 in a plane 394 that is substantially parallel and adjacent to the side faces 152, 154 of the body portions 102 a, 102 b and substantially perpendicular to the upper body portion's bearing surface 104. By example and without limitation, the pivot end 390 of the support arm 388 is coupled in a pivotal relationship with the two-piece body 102 by a pivot mechanism 398. For example, the pivot mechanism 398 operates about the pivot axis 392 between a hub portion 400 of the body 102 and an enlarged shoulder portion 402 at the pivot end 390 of the arm 388. According to one optional embodiment of the display unit support 142, the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388 rotates about a pivot axle 404 (shown in one or more subsequent figures) that is aligned along the pivot axis 392 and extends between a hub portion 400 of the body 102 and the arm's shoulder portion 402. Alternative embodiments of the pivot mechanism 398 may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The support arm 388 is constrained to operate about the pivot mechanism 398 with the shoulder portion 402 abutting the body's hub portion 400 by the pivot mechanism 398. By example and without limitation, the axle 404 is optionally a screw or bolt passed through one of the edge mounting holes 148 of the type described herein and threaded into a nut 406 (shown in one or more subsequent figures) in one of the nut pockets 346 of the type described herein. Thereafter, a knob or handle 408 on the axle 404 is operated for tightening and loosening of the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388 vis-à-vis the hub portion 400 of the body 102 by turning relative to the nut 406 in the nut pocket 346 of the body 102. Thus, the handle 408 on the head portion 410 of the axle 404 operates against an outside face 412 of the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388 to compress the shoulder portion 402 against the body's hub 400. Accordingly, friction between the shoulder portion 402 and the hub 400 caused by tightening of the handle 408 on the head portion 410 of the axle 404 constrains the support arm 388 to remain in a selected rotational orientation with the upper body portion's bearing surface 104. The display unit support 142 thus constrains the computer's flat display unit 9 in the selected rotational orientation. The rotational orientation of the support arm 388 of the display unit support 142 with the upper body portion's bearing surface 104 is thus infinitely adjustable by alternately loosening and tightening the handle 408.

The novel display unit support 142 of the invention also includes a novel display unit clamping mechanism 414 adjacent to a second extreme support end portion 416 of the rigid support arm 388 opposite from the first pivot end portion 390. By example and without limitation, the display unit clamping mechanism 414 adjacent to the second support end portion 416 of the support arm 388 is structured as a spring loaded vice for constraining the display unit 9 relative to the support end portion 416 of the support arm 388. Accordingly, the display unit 9 is pinched between an integral substantially rigid anvil 418 and a separate and rotatable substantially rigid jaw 420. By example and without limitation, the clamping mechanism 414 includes the substantially rigid anvil 418 being integral with the elongated support arm 388. The supporting anvil 418 is extended laterally to a longitudinal axis 422 of the support arm 388 to an extent 423 that at least an end portion 424 of the anvil 418 distal from the support arm 388 is projected into space in a position opposite from a portion of the bearing surface 104 in the vicinity of either one of the pair of fixedly positioned engaging pins 114 a and 114 b (shown) and spaced away from the computer bearing surface 104 by several inches. The anvil 418 is formed with an arcuate support surface 426 that is curved in a convex shape covering an extended arc having a substantially smooth face aligned generally with the longitudinal axis 422 of the elongated support arm 388 and facing toward the front face 172 of the body 102 a such that the hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9 is supported in an upright position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2 by resting against the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418, as illustrated herein.

The separate substantially rigid jaw 420 includes a first proximate barrel-shaped knuckle portion 428 that is projected inward of a substantially rigid finger 430. The knuckle portion 428 of the jaw 420 is coupled to the anvil 418 adjacent to a heal portion 432 thereof proximate to the end portion 416 of the support arm 388. The knuckle portion 428 spaces the rigid finger 430 away from the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 by a variable short distance 434 that is adjustably configured to permit the flat display unit 9 of the computer 1 to fit therebetween. The short distance 434 by which the finger 430 is spaced away from the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 is adjustable to accept therebetween different thicknesses t of flat display units 9 of different computers 1 (illustrated in FIG. 1). The short distance 434 is also variable as discussed herein to permit the flat display units 9 to rotate to different orientations with the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2, while remaining constrained against the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 by the jaw 420.

Furthermore, an integral hard nub or button 436 (more clearly shown in one or more subsequent figures) is optionally projected slightly from an inward facing surface 438 of the rigid finger 430 adjacent to a second end 440 thereof distal from the first proximate knuckle portion 428 thereof. The jaw 420 is thus positioned in a pinching relationship to the anvil 418 such as to capture the display unit 9 between the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 and the nub 436 projected from the distal end 440 of the rigid finger 430. Thus, the display screen surface portion 9 a of the display unit 9 is supported in an upright position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2 by the rigid jaw 420, as illustrated herein. Accordingly, the display unit 9 of the computer 1 is constrained from falling backward away from the keyboard 7 by the anvil 418, and is simultaneously constrained from falling forward toward the keyboard 7 by the jaw 420.

The display unit clamping mechanism 414 also includes a variable pressure resilient biasing mechanism 442 (detailed in a subsequent figure) that resiliently biases the jaw 420 toward the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 in the pinching relationship described herein. By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism 442 automatically varies the spacing distance 434 to accommodate the varying cross-sectional thickness of the display unit 9 of the computer 1 of the prior art as the display unit 9 is rotated relative to the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2 about its hinge axis h into different upright positions at the back of the keyboard 7.

FIG. 39 also illustrates a distribution of the lengthwise nut pockets 373 on the lower body portion 102 b.

FIG. 40 illustrates the novel display unit support 142 of the invention in a stored position having the support arm 388 rotated about the pivot axis 392 toward the bearing surface 104 of the upper body portion 102 a, and the anvil 418 is nested in the support arm nest 139. The nest 139 is sized such that the anvil 418 is nested below the bearing surface 104 so as not to interfere with seating of the computer 1. The knob 408 may be tightened to secure the support arm 388 in the stored position.

FIG. 40 also illustrates a distribution of both the screw holes 371 and lengthwise nut pockets 373 on the upper body portion 102 a. Fasteners 377 and 381 coupled between corresponding screw holes 371 and nut pockets 373 join the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b into the docking station body 102.

FIG. 41 is a side view that illustrates the jaw 420 of the display unit support 142 of the invention being rotated about a drive axis 444 of the biasing mechanism 442 into substantial alignment with the support arm 388 during storing of the display unit support 142. When rotated into this rest position, the jaw 420 does not interfere with nesting of the anvil 418 in the support arm nest 139.

FIG. 42 illustrates the docking station 100 of the invention with the novel display unit support 142 in an active position having the support arm 388 rotated about the pivot axis 392 with the display unit clamping mechanism 414 supporting the display unit 9 in an open upright position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. Accordingly, the anvil 418 is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9. Here, the jaw 420 is illustrated as being rotated about the drive axis 444 into substantial alignment with the support arm 388. Accordingly the jaw 420 does not interfere with closing the display unit 9 over the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. The knob 408 may be tightened to secure the support arm 388 in the active position.

FIG. 43 illustrates the docking station 100 of the invention with the novel display unit support 142 in an active position having the support arm 388 rotated about the pivot axis 392 with the display unit clamping mechanism 414 supporting the display unit 9 in an open upright position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. Here, the anvil 418 is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9. Furthermore, the jaw 420 is illustrated as being rotated into its active position supporting the display screen surface portion 9 a of the display unit 9 in the upright position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. The display unit 9 is thus constrained in the upright position by the pincer action of the jaw 420 relative to the anvil 418. As illustrated, the button 436 at the second end 440 of the inward facing surface 438 of the rigid finger 430 presses against the display screen surface portion 9 a of the display unit 9.

Furthermore, as illustrated here, the second end 440 of the rigid finger 430 extends sufficiently from the jaw 420 that the button 436 on the inward facing surface 438 thereof is extended over the hard shell lip portion 9 c of the display unit 9 onto the display screen 9 d. The rigid finger 430 thus wraps around the hard shell lip portion 9 c of the display unit 9, and the button 436 thus falls below the lip portion 9 c onto the display screen 9 d. Accordingly, the novel display unit clamping mechanism 414 is constrained from slipping laterally off of the lip portion 9 c and inadvertently releasing the display unit 9.

FIGS. 44 through 50 illustrate that the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 permits the backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9 to roll thereabout in smooth substantially constant contact during rotation relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. Simultaneously therewith the rigid jaw 420 constrains the display unit 9 to follow rotations of the support arm 388 about the pivot axis 392. For example, the integral hard nub or button 436 on the tip 440 of the rigid finger 430 presses against the display screen 9 d and forces the display screen surface 9 a toward the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418.

FIG. 44 also illustrates the docking station 100 of the invention with the novel display unit support 142 in the active position of FIG. 43 having the support arm 388 rotated about the pivot axis 392 with the display unit clamping mechanism 414 supporting the display unit 9 in an open upright position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. Here, the anvil 418 is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9, while the jaw 420 is positioned supporting the display screen surface portion 9 a. The display unit 9 is thus constrained in the upright position between the jaw 420 and the anvil 418.

FIG. 45 is a side view of the docking station 100 having the display unit support 142 in one active position, as illustrated in previous figures, having the support arm 388 rotated about the pivot axis 392 with the display unit clamping mechanism 414 supporting the display unit 9 in one open over-center position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. In this active over-center position, the anvil 418 is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9. The jaw 420 is rotated into its active position supporting the display screen surface portion 9 a of the display unit 9 in the upright over-center position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. The display unit 9 is thus constrained in the open over-center position by the pincer action of the jaw 420 relative to the anvil 418.

FIG. 46 is an opposite side view of the display unit support 142 in the active position of FIG. 45 for constraining the display unit 9 in the open over-center position by the pincer action of the jaw 420 relative to the anvil 418. Here, the knob 408 is tightened to secure the support arm 388 in the active over-center position.

FIG. 47 is a side view of the docking station 100 having the display unit support 142 in another active position having the support arm 388 rotated about the pivot axis 392 with the display unit clamping mechanism 414 supporting the display unit 9 in a substantially vertical upright position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. In this active upright position, the anvil 418 is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9. The jaw 420 is rotated into its active position supporting the display screen surface portion 9 a of the display unit 9 in the upright position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. The display unit 9 is thus constrained in the upright position by the pincer action of the jaw 420 relative to the anvil 418.

FIG. 48 is an opposite side view of the display unit support 142 in the active position of FIG. 47 for constraining the display unit 9 in the substantially vertical upright position by the pincer action of the jaw 420 relative to the anvil 418. Here, the knob 408 is tightened to secure the support arm 388 in the upright position.

FIG. 49 is a side view of the docking station 100 having the display unit support 142 in another active position having the support arm 388 rotated about the pivot axis 392 with the display unit clamping mechanism 414 supporting the display unit 9 in another open position having the display unit 9 in an extreme over-center upright position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. In this active extreme over-center position, the anvil 418 is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9. The jaw 420 is rotated into its active position supporting the display screen surface portion 9 a of the display unit 9 in the extreme over-center open position relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. The display unit 9 is thus constrained in the extreme over-center open position by the pincer action of the jaw 420 relative to the anvil 418.

FIG. 50 is an opposite side view of the display unit support 142 in the active position of FIG. 49 for constraining the display unit 9 in the extreme over-center open position by the pincer action of the jaw 420 relative to the anvil 418. Here, the knob 408 is tightened to secure the support arm 388 in the extreme over-center position.

FIG. 51 illustrates by example and without limitation the pivot mechanism 398 that constrains the support arm 388 to operate about the pivot axis 392 with the shoulder portion 402 abutting the body's hub portion 400. By example and without limitation, when the pivot axle 404 is a screw or bolt such as a shoulder bolt, it includes a first threaded end 450 that is sized to pass through one of the body's edge mounting holes 148 of the type described herein. The threaded end 450 of the screw or bolt type pivot axle 404 is threaded into the nut 406 installed in one of the nut pockets 346 of the type described herein, wherein the nut 406 is optionally a lock nut of the hex variety. Additionally, a shaft portion 452 of the screw or bolt type pivot axle 404 passes through a complementary rotational clearance bore 454 which is formed through the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388 and which is sized to rotate smoothly about the pivot axle shaft portion 452. The head portion 410 of the screw or bolt type pivot axle 404 distal from the body 102 is by example and without limitation constrained in a recessed nut pocket 456 formed in the knob or handle 408. The knob 408 constrains the head portion 410 of the pivot axle 404 for tightening and loosening of the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388 vis-à-vis the hub portion 400 of the body 102 by turning relative to the nut 406 in the nut pocket 346 of the body 102. Thus, the handle 408 on the head portion 410 of the pivot axle 404 operates against the outside face 412 of the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388 to compress an inside face 458 the shoulder portion 402 against an outside face 460 of the hub 400. Accordingly, friction between the inside face 458 the shoulder portion 402 against an outside face 460 of the hub 400 constrains the support arm 388 to remain in a selected rotational orientation with the upper body portion's bearing surface 104, whereby the display unit support 142 constrains the computer's flat display unit 9 in the selected rotational orientation. The rotational orientation of the support arm 388 of the display unit support 142 is thus infinitely adjustable relative to the upper body portion's bearing surface 104.

Alternative embodiments of the pivot mechanism 398 may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 52 illustrates by example and without limitation one alternative configuration of the pivot mechanism 398 wherein the head portion 410 of the screw or bolt type pivot axle 404 is constrained in the one of the body's nut pockets 346. The shaft portion 452 of the pivot axle 404 passes through the body's edge mounting holes 148 and extends through the complementary rotational clearance bore 454 which is formed through the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388. The threaded end 450 of the pivot axle 404 is threaded into a complementary threaded bore 462 in the knob 408, which is operable for tightening and loosening of the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388 vis-à-vis the hub portion 400 of the body 102 by turning relative to the pivot axle 404.

FIG. 53 illustrates by example and without limitation another alternative configuration of the pivot mechanism 398. For example, an optional resilient biasing mechanism 470 may be provided for biasing the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388 toward the face 460 on the hub portion 400 of the body 102. By example and without limitation, the optional resilient biasing mechanism 470 maybe formed of a conventional compression spring 472 installed inside an enlarged counter-bore 474 formed in the shoulder portion 402 through an opening 476 in the outside face 412 of the shoulder portion 402. The spring portion 418 of the biasing mechanism 470 is constrained between a floor portion 478 of the counter-bore 420 and the head portion 410 of the screw or bolt type pivot axle 404. Optionally, a washer 480 may be inserted between the bolt head 410 and the compression spring 472. The spring portion 418 of the biasing mechanism 470 thus operates against the floor portion 478 of the counter-bore 474 to compress the inside face 458 of the shoulder portion 402 of the support arm 388 against the outside face 460 of the body's hub portion 400.

Alternative embodiments of the resilient biasing mechanism 470 may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Additionally, a ratcheting mechanism 482 is optionally provided for securing the support arm 388 in rotational relationship with the bearing surface 104 of the body portion 102 a. By example and without limitation, a first quantity of one or more teeth 484 are provided on the outside face 460 of the hub 400 portion of the body 102 in a variable intermeshing relationship with a quantity of one or more notches 486 formed on the inside face 458 the arm's shoulder portion 402. The intermeshing teeth 484 and notches 486 permit the arm to be secured in a desired rotational relationship with the body 102 for supporting the computer's display unit 9 in a desired discrete orientation relative to the docking station's computer bearing surface 104.

FIG. 54 illustrates by example and without limitation the novel display unit clamping mechanism 414 of the display unit support 142 of the invention in an active configuration clamping the display unit 9 in an open position relative to the computer casing 2. The novel display unit clamping mechanism 414 is positioned adjacent to a second extreme support end portion 416 of the rigid support arm 388 opposite from the first pivot end portion 390. By example and without limitation, the display unit clamping mechanism 414 adjacent to the second support end portion 416 of the support arm 388 is a hand for constraining the display unit 9 relative to the support end portion 416 of the support arm 388. As discussed herein, by example and without limitation, the clamping mechanism 414 includes the substantially rigid anvil 418 that is integral with the elongated support arm 388. The anvil 418 is extended laterally to a longitudinal axis 422 of the support arm 388 with its end portion 424 being projected into space in a position above the bearing surface 104. The arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 is curved in the convex shape that covers an extended arc having a center of rotation 488 (best shown in one or more previous figures). The center of rotation 488 is oriented generally parallel with pivot axis 392 of the support arm 388, substantially lateral of the longitudinal axis 422, and substantially crosswise of the drive axis 444 of the biasing mechanism 442. The smooth arcuate support surface 426 is directed generally toward the front face 172 of the body 102 a for supporting the hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9.

The first proximate knuckle portion 428 of the separate jaw 420 is movably coupled to the anvil 418 adjacent to the heal portion 432 thereof. The finger portion 430 of the jaw 420 is thus spaced away from the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 by the variable short distance 434 that is adjustably configured to permit the flat display unit 9 of the computer 1 to fit therebetween. The short distance 434 by which the finger portion 430 of the jaw 420 is spaced away from the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 is adjustable to accept different thicknesses of flat display units 9 of different computers 1 therebetween. Furthermore, the integral hard nub or button 436 is optionally projected slightly from the inside surface 438 of the rigid finger 430 adjacent to its distal tip 440. The jaw 420 is thus positioned in a pinching relationship to the anvil 418 such as to capture the display unit 9 between the arcuate support surface 426 and the projected nub 436 on the tip 440 of the rigid finger 430. Thus, the display unit 9 is compressed against the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 by the hard nub 436 on the tip 440 of the rigid finger 430, as illustrated herein.

The display unit clamping mechanism 414 also includes the variable pressure resilient biasing mechanism 442 that resiliently biases the jaw 420 toward the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 to form the pinching relationship described herein. By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism 442 automatically varies the spacing distance 434 to accommodate a varying cross-sectional thickness of the display unit 9 as it is rotated about its hinge axis h relative to the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2 into different upright positions at the back of the keyboard 7.

By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism 442 is constructed along the longitudinal drive axis 444 that is oriented generally crosswise of both the longitudinal axis 422 of the support arm 388 and the center of rotation 488 of the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418. By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism 442 includes a compression spring 490 recessed inside a tubular spring cavity 492 that is counter-bored in a barrel-shaped spring casing 494 of the heal portion 432 at the support end portion 416 of the rigid support arm 388. The tubular spring cavity 492 is substantially aligned along the longitudinal drive axis 444 of the biasing mechanism 442. The tubular spring cavity 492 has a full size input opening 496 at it outer end, and terminates in a floor portion 498 at its inner end. A smaller guide pin portion 500 of the heal portion 432 extends from the barrel-shaped cavity 494 along the longitudinal drive axis 444. The guide pin portion 500 of the heal portion 432 is formed therethrough with a tubular clearance bore 502 that communicates between the floor 498 of the tubular spring cavity 492 and an opening 504 at the clearance bore's outer tip 506. The tubular clearance bore 502 through the guide pin portion 500 is sized to complement a pivot axle 508 such as a screw or bolt.

The barrel-shaped knuckle portion 428 of the separate jaw 420 is projected inward of the inward facing surface 438 of the rigid finger 430 along the longitudinal drive axis 444 of the biasing mechanism 442. The barrel-shaped knuckle portion 428 is formed with a complementary tubular counter-bore 510 that is sized to slidingly receive the guide pin portion 500 of the support arm's heal portion 432 through an opening 512 in the end of the knuckle portion 428 distal from the rigid finger 430. The pivot axle 508 is projected substantially central of the tubular counter-bore 510 from a floor 514 thereof and along the longitudinal drive axis 444 of the biasing mechanism 442. By example and without limitation, an aperture or passage 516 is formed in the floor 514 of the tubular counter-bore 510 and communicates with an outward facing surface 518 of the rigid finger 430 opposite from the inward facing surface 438. When the pivot axle 508 is provided as a screw or bolt, the passage 516 is sized to receive a shaft portion 520 of the screw-type pivot axle 508, while the aperture 516 is sized to constrain a head portion 522 from passing.

When the tubular counter-bore 510 in the knuckle portion 428 of the jaw 420 is slidingly fit over the guide pin portion 500 projected from the support arm's heal portion 432, the passage 516 in the floor of the tubular counter-bore 510 is substantially aligned with the tubular clearance bore 502 in the guide pin 500. The shaft 520 of the pivot axle 508 is slidingly received through the passage 516, along the tubular clearance bore 502 in the guide pin portion 500 of the spring casing 494, and into the tubular spring cavity 492. The compression spring 490 is received over the pivot axle's shaft 520 and compressed in the tubular spring cavity 492 between the floor portion 498 at its inner end and a second end 524 of the pivot axle 508 opposite from its head 522. For example, a nut 526 and optional washer 528 are installed onto the threaded end of the pivot axle shaft 520.

Additionally, means are provided for securing the jaw 420 relative to the anvil 418 with the finger portion 430 positioned over the display screen surface 9 a of the display unit 9 opposite from the arcuate support surface 426. By example and without limitation, a detent mechanism 530 is provided between the guide pin portion 500 of the anvil 418 and the knuckle portion 428 of the jaw 420. The detent mechanism 530 may be formed by example and without limitation by one or more teeth 532 sized to slide into one or more slots 534 formed between the guide pin 500 and the knuckle portion 428 of the jaw 420.

As described, the variable pressure resilient biasing mechanism 442 of the display unit clamping mechanism 414 resiliently biases the jaw 420 toward the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 in the pinching relationship described herein. As will be generally well-understood, the cross-sectional thickness t of the display unit 9 increases and decreases as it is rotated into different orientations relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2, the cross-sectional thickness t varying between a minimum when the display unit 9 is in the substantially vertical upright position illustrated in FIG. 47, and a maximum when the display unit 9 is in the extreme over-center position illustrated in FIG. 49.

Accordingly, the biasing mechanism 442 floats the rigid finger 430 along the longitudinal drive axis 444 over the barrel-shaped portion 494 of the anvil 418. The biasing mechanism 442 thus permits the clamping mechanism 414 to accommodate the varying cross-sectional thickness t of the display unit 9 as it is rotated into different orientations relative to the keyboard 7 on the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2. As the display unit 9 rotates from the substantially vertical upright position illustrated in FIG. 47, the cross-sectional thickness t increases, and the display unit 9 exerts pressure on the biasing mechanism 442, which spreads the jaw portion 420 of the clamping mechanism 414 resiliently away from the anvil portion 418. However, the spring 490 exerts an opposite compression pressure that squeezes the rigid finger 430 of the jaw 420 against the display screen surface 9 a so that the display unit 9 is pressed against the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418. Similarly, when the display unit 9 is rotated from any non-vertical position, such as the extreme over-center position illustrated in FIG. 49, the spring 490 continues to exert the compression pressure that squeezes the rigid finger 430 of the jaw 420 against the display screen surface 9 a so that the display unit 9 is pressed against the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418 even while the cross-sectional thickness t decreases.

Furthermore, as illustrated here, the second end 440 of the rigid finger 430 extends sufficiently from the jaw 420 that the button 436 on the inward facing surface 438 thereof is extended over the hard shell lip portion 9 c of the display unit 9 onto the display screen 9 d. As discussed elsewhere herein, the rigid finger 430 thus wraps around the hard shell lip portion 9 c of the display unit 9. The biasing mechanism 442 operating along the longitudinal drive axis 444 forces the button 436 below the lip portion 9 c and against the display screen 9 d. Accordingly, the biasing mechanism 442 operates the button 436 to constrain the novel display unit clamping mechanism 414 from slipping laterally off of the lip portion 9 c and inadvertently releasing the display unit 9.

FIG. 55 illustrates by example and without limitation the novel display unit clamping mechanism 414 of the display unit support 142 invention in a passive configuration wherein the hard shell backing portion 9 b of the display unit 9 is supported by the anvil 418 portion of the support arm 388 with the opposing jaw portion 420 in an open position relative to the display screen surface 9 a. Accordingly, the jaw 420 including the finger portion 430 is rotated away from the active position over the display screen surface 9 a. For example, the knuckle 428 is pulled away from the anvil 418 along the longitudinal drive axis 444 until the detent 530 disengages, i.e., until the teeth 532 slide free of the slots 534. The jaw portion 420 is rotated until the finger 430 clears the display unit 9. With the finger 430 in this passive configuration, the jaw 420 is freed and the compression spring 490 draws the knuckle 428 toward the anvil 418 along the longitudinal drive axis 444. The teeth 532 and slots 534 may be additionally configured to form the detent 530 between the between the guide pin portion 500 and the knuckle portion 428 for securing the jaw 420 in the passive configuration vis-à-vis the anvil 418.

Alternative embodiments of the display unit clamping mechanism 414 and biasing mechanism 442 may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Molded Housing

The two-piece body 102 having the upper body portion 102 a connected to the lower body portion 102 b along the line 103 of mutual contact is optionally formed by molding, which results in the two-piece body 102 being a molded docking station housing having molded upper and lower body portions 102 a and 102 b.

The term “molding” as used herein includes but is not limited to both sand and die casting as well as injection molding. The materials used in the “molding” process include, by example and without limitation, both metals and plastics that are known appropriate materials for use in such sand-casting and die-casting as well as injection molding processes. Thus, the molded body 102 includes both sand-cast and die-cast bodies as well as injection molded bodies of metals such as die cast aluminum and die cast zinc, and of non metals such as nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), ABS/PC combinations, both thermoset and thermoplastics including filled plastics such as glass-filled plastics, as well as other normally castable and injection moldable materials.

Accordingly, a method is disclosed for molding an external expanding apparatus or “docking station” housing of molding material. The method of the invention includes but is not limited to molding the body 102 as a molded wall having a first molded wall portion formed of the upper body portion 102 a and a second molded wall portion formed of the lower body portion 102 b. The molded wall formed by the body 102 includes an outer wall surface thereof indicated generally at 101 (see, FIGS. 5, 6) and an inner wall surface thereof indicated generally at 107 (see, FIG. 25). The molded wall's inner wall surface 107 is inclusive of but not limited to the inner wall surfaces of the upper body portion 102 a and the inner wall surfaces of the lower body portion 102 b, which together substantially bound a cavity indicated generally at 109. See, FIG. 25. Molding the wall portion formed of the upper body portion 102 a includes molding the front and rear faces 172 and 248 and side faces 152 of the upper body portion 102 a, as well as molding the substantially rigid bearing plate 105 having the inner surface 224. The molded wall portion formed of the upper body portion 102 a thus forms a substantially continuous inner wall surface indicated generally at 125 that forms a cavity 127 open at the contact line 103. See, FIGS. 21, 25. The substantially continuous inner wall surface 125 also forms a substantially continuous outer wall surface indicated generally at 117. See, FIGS. 5, 6. The device bearing surface 104 formed on the rigid bearing plate 105 constitutes a portion of the outer wall surface 117 of the upper body portion 102 a. The molded walls are of substantially uniform thickness between the outer and inner wall surface 101, 107 to provide an even flow pattern for the material of which the housing is molded.

Molding the wall portion formed by the upper body portion 102 a optionally includes molding the integral housing portion 126, which includes the expansion connector presentation surface 106 formed thereon and positioned at the rear 115 of the device bearing surface 104 adjacent to an edge 113 thereof. See, FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The integral housing portion 126 includes a substantially continuous outer wall surface 145 and a substantially continuous inner wall surface 129. The housing's inner wall surface 129 substantially bounds the cavity 128 that houses the expansion connector 108 when retracted from its deployed position. See, FIGS. 21, 25. When the housing portion 126 is present, its cavity 109 nominally includes the cavity 128 bounded by its inner wall surface 129. The housing's outer wall surface 145 constitutes a portion of the outer wall surface 117 of the upper body portion 102 a, and its inner wall surface 129 constitutes a portion of the inner wall surface indicated generally at 125.

The expansion connector access opening 132 through the expansion connector presentation surface 106 of the housing portion 126 is optionally simultaneously molded during molding of the first molded wall portion formed by the upper body portion 102 a. Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the expansion connector access opening 132 is otherwise formed in the expansion connector presentation surface 106, as by machining, after the upper body portion 102 a is molded.

The device receiver structure 110 of the upper body portion 102 a is projected above the device bearing surface 104 adjacent to the front edge 111 thereof substantially opposite from the expansion connector presentation surface 106. The device receiver structure 110 is optionally simultaneously molded during molding of the first molded wall portion formed by the upper body portion 102 a. Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the device receiver structure 110 is otherwise formed on the upper body portion 102 a, as by machining or welding, after the upper body portion 102 a is molded.

The clearance holes 230 of the supporting structure 229 are formed in the bearing plate 105 at two or more spaced-apart places substantially aligned with the drive axis DA of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118. The clearance holes 230 are optionally formed in the bearing plate 105 during the molding process simultaneously, with the upper body portion 102 a. Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, clearance holes 230 are otherwise formed on the upper body portion 102 a, as by machining, after the upper body portion 102 a is molded.

Molding the wall portion formed of the upper body portion 102 a further optionally includes molding the axles or hubs 232 integrally with the inner wall surface 224 of the device bearing plate 105. The optional integral axles or hubs 232 substantially surround the clearance holes 230 and are thus an integral part of the supporting structure 229. The integral axles or hubs 232 thus combine with the clearance holes 230 to form the structure 229 for supporting the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 relative to the inner surface 224 of the substantially rigid bearing plate 105 opposite from the portion of the outer wall surface 117 having the device bearing surface 104 formed thereon. See, FIG. 21. The support structure 229, including the optional integral axles or hubs 232 when present, support the guide mechanism 226 relative to the inner wall surface 224 of the device bearing plate 105. The guide mechanism 226 cooperates with the inner slot 206 of the frame 204 to guide the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 substantially along the drive axis DA. As discussed herein, the axles or hubs 232 are alternatively independent of the inner surface 224 of the device bearing plate 105, e.g., loose washers, held in place by the fasteners 236 that constrain the frame 204 of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 to move substantially along the drive axis DA.

Molding the wall portion formed of the upper body portion 102 a further optionally includes molding the support arm nest 139 in one side wall 152 of the upper body portion 102 a adjacent to the device bearing plate 105 and recessed below the computer device bearing surface 104. The molded support arm nest 139 is positioned to receive the anvil portion 418 of the display unit support 142 at the end of the support arm 388. The molded nest 139 is formed with a substantially smooth concave face shaped to substantially correspond to the convex shape of the arcuate support surface 426 of the anvil 418. The molded nest 139 is sized to store the anvil 418 flush or below the computer device bearing surface 104 when the support arm 388 is rotated toward the device bearing plate 105 about its pivot axis 392. See, e.g., FIGS. 10, 39, 40. By example and without limitation, the separate jaw 420 is rotated or otherwise moved out of any interference position vis-à-vis the molded nest 139. In other words, as described herein the jaw 420 is rotated about the drive axis 444 away from its pinching relationship to the anvil 418 and having its rigid finger 430 in substantial alignment with the support arm 388 so as not to interfere with seating of the computer 1 on the device bearing surface 104. See, e.g., FIGS. 41, 42, 55. The display unit support 142 is thus stored when not in use.

Molding the wall portion formed of the upper body portion 102 a further optionally includes integrally molding the receiver structure 110 positioned adjacent to the front portion 111 of the bearing surface 104 and having an open jaw structure 112 for receiving and mating with the tongue 2 g on the front face of the computer casing 2. As well as molding the jaw structure 112, molding the receiver structure 110 also includes molding several rib supports 147 between the receiver structure 110 and the front wall surface 172 of the molded upper body portion 102 a. The integrally molded ribs 147 permit the receiver structure 110 to have a hollow 149 therein, while remaining substantially rigid for engaging and retaining the tongue portion 2 g of the computer casing 2. See, e.g., FIG. 16.

Molding the wall portion formed of the lower body portion 102 b includes molding the front and rear faces 174 and 344 and side faces 154 of the lower body portion 102 b, as well as molding the substantially rigid bottom plane 156 having the inner surface 253. The molded wall portion formed of the lower body portion 102 b thus forms a substantially continuous inner wall surface indicated generally at 131 that forms a cavity 133 open at the contact line 103. See, FIG. 25. The inner surface 253 of the rigid bottom plane 156 constitutes a portion of the inner wall surface 131 of the lower body portion 102 b. The substantially continuous inner wall surface 131 also forms a substantially continuous outer wall surface indicated generally at 119. See, FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and 25. The bottom plane 156 having the mounting structure 155 formed thereon constitutes a portion of the outer wall surface 119 of the lower body portion 102 b.

The mounting structure 155 (shown in FIG. 9) that is formed on the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b and structured to adapt the docking station 100 for mounting to an external support structure is optionally molded during molding of the bottom plane 156 of the second molded wall portion formed by the lower body portion 102 b. Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the mounting structure 155 is otherwise formed on the bottom plane 156, as by machining or joining, after the lower body portion 102 b is molded.

Optionally, molding the wall portion formed of the lower body portion 102 b also includes molding the integral rear housing 140 having the presentation surface 138 provided thereon. The peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n are optionally molded simultaneously with the integral rear housing 140 to form the one or more openings communicating through the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138 between the inner wall surface 253 and the outer wall surface 119 of the lower body portion 102 b. Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the peripheral device connector seats 136 a-136 n are optionally through the peripheral device connector presentation surface 138, as by machining, after the lower body portion 102 b is molded.

As disclosed above, molding the wall formed by the body 102 having the outer wall surface 101 and the inner wall surface 107 bounding the cavity 109 includes both molding the first wall portion formed by the upper body portion 102 a having the first inner wall surface 224 and the first outer wall surface 117, and molding the second molded wall portion formed by the lower body portion 102 b having the second inner wall surface 253 and the second outer wall surface 119. Forming the body 102 includes connecting the first and second wall portions formed by the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b along the line of mutual contact 103 with the first and second inner wall surfaces 224 and 253 being substantially contiguous along the line of mutual contact 103 and substantially bounding the cavity 109 therebetween.

Molding the wall formed by the body 102 having the outer wall surface 101 and the inner wall surface 107 bounding the cavity 109 also optionally includes both molding the latch portion 244 of the alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234, for example, in the molded upper body portion 102 a. Alternatively, one or both of the mating edges 342, 340 of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b are formed with a slot 343 sized to accept the end 265 of the lock cylinder 264 when the lock mechanism 134 is used See, e.g., FIGS. 21, 25.

The edge mounting holes 148 are formed by molding the pair of mating shapes 336 and 338 formed in the docking station's two-piece body 102 through the mating upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b along the mutual contact line 103. The mating shapes 336 and 338 may be semi-circular holes along the contact line 103 that are optionally molded in the mating edges 342, 340 of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b. Alternatively, the mating shapes 336, 338 may be different mating shapes that form the edge mounting holes 148 when mated, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the entire shape of the resultant edge mounting holes 148 may be alternatively formed in the contact edges 342, 340 of either one of the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, a molded edge mounting hole 148 is optionally formed between the first and second molded walls 102 a, 102 b along the line of mutual contact 103. Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the mounting holes 148 are otherwise formed, as by machining, after the lower body portion 102 b is molded.

The crosswise nut pockets 346 are molded on the respective inner wall surfaces 125, 131 of one or both of the first and second molded walls 102 a, 102 b by a plurality of molded nut pocket wells 348 formed of side walls 352, 354, and backing panel 364 extended interior of one of the first and second molded walls 102 a, 102 b from the opening 350 into the walls 358, 360 of the extension portion 356 aligned with the well 348. Thus, the plurality of molded walls of the nut pocket 346 form the shaped cavities or wells 348 that are substantially aligned with the respective edge mounting holes 148 and the opening 350 thereinto from the outer wall surface 117 or 119 of one of the first and second molded walls 102 a, 102 b. See, e.g. FIGS. 29-38. Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the nut pockets 346 are otherwise formed, as by machining, after the lower body portion 102 b is molded.

Molding the wall formed by the body 102 also optionally includes molding the plurality of optional tabs 366 that extend between the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b for alignment therebetween. By example and without limitation when present, the tabs 366 are molded on the respective inner wall surfaces 125, 131 of one or both of the first and second molded walls 102 a, 102 b. See, e.g., FIGS. 21, 31. The tabs 366 are optionally replaced by a substantially continuous inner lip molded on the respective inner wall surfaces 125, 131 of one or both of the first and second molded walls 102 a, 102 b. Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the optional tabs 366 are otherwise formed, as by machining or welding, after the lower body portion 102 b is molded.

Molding the wall formed by the body 102 also optionally includes molding the plurality of optionally reinforced screw holes 371 and corresponding lengthwise nut pockets 373 for securing the integrity of the body 102 when formed of multiple molded parts, for example the molded upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b. The screw holes 371 are molded or otherwise formed in one of the molded upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b (upper body portion 102 a shown), while the nut pockets 373 are formed in the other body portion (lower body portion 102 b shown), although the positions of the screw holes 371 and nut pockets 373 are optionally reversed vis-à-vis the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The screw holes 371 are preferably recessed into the device bearing surface 104 of the bearing plate 105 or in the vicinity thereof for recessing a head portion 375 of a fastener 377 used for securing the molded upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b. By example and without limitation, a boss 379 is molded or otherwise formed on the inner surface 224 of the upper body portion's substantially rigid bearing plate 105 and the opposite device bearing surface 104 surrounding each of the screw holes 371. The nut pockets 373 are optionally recessed into the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b substantially aligned with corresponding screw holes 371 such that nut fasteners 381 are recessed into the outer wall surface 119 of the lower body portion 102 b when connected to the mating screw 377. By example and without limitation, the screw holes 371 and corresponding nut pockets 373 are paired with the optional tabs 366, when present, that extend between the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b, which helps maintain alignment between the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b when the fasteners 377 and 381 are coupled. The pairing also helps to stiffen the molded body portions 102 a, 102 b in the vicinity of the fasteners 377 and 381. See, e.g., FIGS. 30, 32. As shown in FIG. 32, molding the recessed screw holes 371 includes molding a recess 383 into the outer wall surface indicated generally at 117 surrounding each of the screw holes 371 the recessed screw holes 371 and corresponding nut pockets 373 are optionally distributed in several places around the periphery and interior of the respective upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b, which permits use of several of the fasteners 377 and 381 for effectively securing the connection therebetween at the line 103 of mutual contact. See, e.g., FIGS. 39, 40.

The engaging pins 114 a and 114 b (shown in FIG. 5 and subsequent figures) are substantially permanently coupled to the substantially rigid bearing plate 105 and projected from the first portion of the outer wall surface 117 of the first wall portion formed by the upper body portion 102 a in the vicinity of the device bearing surface 104. By example and without limitation, the engaging pins 114 a and 114 b are shown as being coupled to the bearing plate 105 at the rear 115 of the device bearing surface 104 adjacent to its edge 113. The engaging pins 114 a and 114 b are also shown as being widely spaced at respective opposite corners 121 a and 121 b of the device bearing surface 104.

The method of the invention includes coupling the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 to the expansion connector drive supporting structure 229 such that the frame 204 portion thereof is movable relative to the expansion connector access opening 132 in the expansion connector presentation surface 106 of the upper body portion 102 a. The computer expansion connector 108 is coupled to the connector bracket 130 of the movable portion frame 204 of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118. Additionally, the frame 204 is positioned such that its integral catch mechanism 212 engages either the optional lock mechanism 134, or the alternative non-locking latch mechanism 234, which constrains the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 in the deployed position.

The optional retraction mechanism 246 is coupled for retracting the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position by driving the frame 204 along the drive axis DA away from the upper body portion's front face 172 toward its rear face 248. By example and without limitation, this includes coupling the resilient biasing mechanism 250, such as a tension spring (shown), between the rear face 248 of the upper body portion 102 a and the second or near end 216 of the frame 204 adjacent to the frame's handle 214. The biasing mechanism 250 is thereafter operational between the rear face 248 and the near end 216 of the frame 204 for pulling the frame 204 toward the rear face 248, which retracts the expansion connector 108 from the deployed position.

The clearance passage 276 through the upper molded wall 102 a. The clearance passage 276 communicates between the inner surface 224 of the upper body portion's substantially rigid bearing plate 105 and the opposite device bearing surface 104 formed thereon. Molding the wall formed by the body 102 also optionally includes molding the clearance passage 276. Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the clearance passage 276 is otherwise formed, as by machining, after the upper body portion 102 a is molded.

The safety catch portion 124 of the sensing mechanism 123 is coupled between the movable frame portion 204 of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 and the clearance passage 276 through the upper molded wall 102 a. The safety catch 124 is positioned to resist deployment of the expansion connector 108 until the computer 1 is seated against the bearing surface 104 and the computer's I/O connector 4 is positioned to receive the expansion connector 108. See, e.g., FIG. 45. The safety catch 124 is movable relative to the frame's security mechanism 220. As illustrated by example and without limitation in FIG. 25, the safety catch is coupled to the keyhole 222 formed in the frame's security plate 221. The keyhole 222 is structured for cooperating with the safety catch 124 such that, when the enlarged base portion 278 of the safety catch 124 is engaged with the keyhole 222, the frame 204 cannot be moved relative to the casing's molded upper body portion 102 a. Furthermore, when the base portion 278 of the safety catch 124 is disengaged from the cooperating keyhole 222 in the security plate 221, the frame portion 204 of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 is free to move along substantially along the drive axis DA, which substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis L.

The safety catch portion 124 of the sensing mechanism 123 is biased toward the inner surface 224 of the bearing plate 105 and the opposing device bearing surface 104. By example and without limitation, the spring 252 is introduced into the cavity or pocket 286 in the safety catch 124 and oriented along the safety catch's drive ax is DS, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the bearing plate 105 and the bearing surface 104 of the molded upper body portion 102 a. Sufficient pressure on the safety catch portion 124 of the sensing mechanism 123 overcomes the biasing force of the spring 252 and displaces the safety catch 124 through the clearance passage 276. Substantially simultaneously, the enlarged base portion 278 of the safety catch 124 is displaced from its normal engaged relationship with the cooperating keyhole 222 in the frame's security plate 221. For example, the weight of the computer 1 seated on the device bearing surface 104 is sufficient to so activate the sensing mechanism 123 by displacing the safety catch 124 of. Thereafter, the handle portion 214 of the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 can be used to overcome the retraction force of the resilient biasing mechanism 250 and move the expansion connector 108 into its deployed position out of the cavity portion 128 of the housing 126 of the upper body portion 102 a where it is engaged with the computer's I/O connector 4, as disclosed herein. Engagement with either the lock mechanism 134 or the non-locking latch mechanism 234 effectively retains the expansion connector 108 in its deployed position in engagement with the computer's I/O connector 4.

Retraction of the expansion connector 108 from its deployed position and back into the cavity portion 128 in the housing 126 is accomplished substantially automatically by retraction force exerted on the expansion connector drive mechanism 118 by the resilient biasing mechanism 250. Once retracted back into the cavity portion 128 in the housing 126, the expansion connector 108 is safe from damage. Thereafter, the sensing mechanism 123 must be activated to overcome the security mechanism 220 and the retraction force of the resilient biasing mechanism 250 in order to deploy the expansion connector 108. Thus, deployment of the expansion connector 108 must be intentional unless the computer casing 2 is firmly seated against the bearing surface 104 of the docking station.

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the docking station 100 of the invention showing the substantially continuous outer wall surface 117 of the upper body portion 102 a. Here, the substantially rigid bearing plate 105 portion of the molded upper body's outer wall surface 117 is additionally molded with several elevational changes 385 that result in depressions 387 distributed being across the device bearing surface 104. These depressions 387 aid in successfully molding the device bearing surface 104 as a substantially planar surface for seating the computer bottom face 2 a without rocking on an uneven surface. The elevational changes 385 between the device bearing surface 104 and the distributed depressions 387 also stiffen the molded bearing plate 105 by shifting the outer device bearing surface 104 and the inner surface 224 thereof away from the neutral axis of the bearing plate 105. In effect, the elevational changes 385 increase the effective thickness of the bearing plate 105, but without adding material.

Additionally, the molded connector housing portion 126, and in particular the connector presentation surface 106, stiffen the rear edge 115 of the bearing surface 104. Molding the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b of the docking station's two-piece body 102 also permits adding a curved transition wall surface 389 between the bearing plate 105 and the connector presentation surface 106, which further stiffens the bearing plate 105.

Molding the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b also permits molding of additional integral elevational changes 385 in the molded connector housing portion 126 that result in additional depressions 387 distributed being across the housing's outer wall surface 145. The additional depressions 387 add to the stiffness of the molded connector housing portion 126 already provided by the housing's ornate curvature. Molding also permits integral marking of important information, such as function descriptors 399, and brand and model descriptors 401.

Molding also permits other curved transition wall surfaces 391 between the bearing plate 105 and the side and front faces 152, 172 of the upper body portion 102 a, which further stiffens the bearing plate 105. Still other peripheral curved transition wall surfaces 393 are molded between the bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b and the side and front faces 154, 174 thereof, which further stiffen the molded bottom plane 156. The integral ring 159 and elongated gussets 161 of the molded mounting structure 155 further stiffen the molded bottom plane 156 of the lower body portion 102 b. See, e.g., FIG. 9.

Molding the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b also permits molding of integral internal stiffeners. By example and without limitation, a crosswise internal stiffener 395 is integrally molded with the inner surface 224 of the device bearing plate 105 between the front and rear walls 172, 248 of the upper body portion 102 a. The integral internal stiffener 395 is optionally extended (shown) into the cavity portion 128 of the connector housing 126 and molded integrally with the internal wall surface 129 thereof. Additional internal stiffeners 397 are also possible when the upper and lower body portions 102 a, 102 b are molded. See, e.g., FIG. 16.

Additionally, one or all of the components of the novel display unit support 142 of the invention are also molded. By example and without limitation, the elongated rigid support arm 388 is molded, including the enlarged shoulder portion 402 at the pivot end 390 of the arm 388. The rotational clearance bore 454 or the enlarged counter-bore 474 in the enlarged shoulder portion 402 for the pivot mechanism 398 is optionally molded during molding of the arm 388, or formed, as by machining, after the arm 388 is molded, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Molding the arm 388 also optionally includes molding the integral anvil portion 418 of the clamping mechanism 414 adjacent to the support end portion 416 of the support arm 388. Molding the anvil portion 418 includes molding the heal portion 432 thereof proximate to the end portion 416 of the support arm 388 and the arcuate support surface 426. The barrel-shaped spring casing 494 of the heal portion 432 may also be molded during molding of the support arm 388, but is optionally formed, as by machining, after the arm 388 is molded, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The separate substantially rigid jaw portion 420 of the clamping mechanism 414 is optionally molded in its entirety. Alternatively, the substantially rigid finger 430 of the jaw portion 420, including the optional integral hard nub or button 436 when present, and the barrel-shaped knuckle portion 428 that is projected inward of a substantially rigid finger 430 are molded complete, but the tubular counter-bore 510 in the knuckle portion 428 or the passage 516 is formed in its floor 514 are optionally formed, as by machining, after the arm 388 is molded, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Even the knob or handle 408 for tightening and loosening of the support arm 388 vis-à-vis the body 102 is optionally molded with a machined threaded insert, indicated at 462 in FIG. 52, installed after molding, as by ultrasonic welding for example. Thus, the novel display unit support 142 for supporting the computer's flat display unit 9 vis-à-vis the top face 2 b of the computer casing 2.

While the preferred and additional alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor makes the following claims. 

1. An external expanding apparatus housing formed of molded material, the housing comprising: a molded wall formed with an inner wall surface which substantially bounds a cavity; a device bearing surface formed on a first portion of an outer surface of the wall; an expansion connector presentation surface formed on a second portion of the outer surface of the wall positioned adjacent to an edge of the device bearing surface and having an expansion connector access opening formed therethrough; and mounting structure formed on a third portion of the outer surface of the wall that is adapted for mounting to an external support structure.
 2. The apparatus housing of claim 1, further comprising device receiver structure at least partly projected above the device bearing surface adjacent to a different edge of the bearing surface substantially opposite from the expansion connector presentation surface.
 3. The apparatus housing of claim 1 wherein the molded wall further comprises a first molded wall having a first inner wall surface and a second molded wall having a second inner wall surface, the first and second molded walls being connected along a line of mutual contact and the first and second inner wall surfaces substantially bounding the cavity.
 4. The apparatus housing of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral device connector presentation surface formed on a third portion of the outer surface of the wall and having one or more openings communicating therethrough with the inner wall surface.
 5. The apparatus housing of claim 1, further comprising one or more engaging pins being projected from the first portion of an outer surface of the wall in the vicinity of the device bearing surface.
 6. The apparatus housing of claim 5 wherein molded wall further comprises structure formed on a portion of the inner wall surface for supporting a guide mechanism relative to a first portion of the inner wall surface opposite from the first portion of the outer wall surface having the device bearing surface formed thereon.
 7. The apparatus housing of claim 6, further comprising: a guide mechanism coupled to the guide mechanism supporting structure; an expansion connector drive mechanism having a portion movably coupled to the guide mechanism for motion relative to the expansion connector access opening in the expansion connector presentation surface; and a computer expansion connector coupled to the movable portion thereof.
 8. An external expanding apparatus operable with a portable computer device of a type having a display unit having a display screen on an inner surface thereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotally mounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holes adjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surface thereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector positioned on a back plane thereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides thereof, the external expanding apparatus comprising: a molded body portion forming an internal cavity bounded by an inner face thereof and adapted for mounting to an external support structure, the molded body portion having a substantially rigid bearing plate formed with a substantially rectangular computer bearing surface on an outer face thereof and a guide mechanism on a portion of the inner face thereof opposite from the bearing surface, an expansion connector presentation surface positioned adjacent to a rear edge of the bearing surface and projected there above and having an access opening formed therethrough in a position for opposing the device I/O connector of the device placed on the bearing surface, and a passage through the bearing plate communicating between the inner and outer faces thereof and positioned between the rear edge of the bearing surface and a front edge thereof opposite from the rear edge; a pair of engaging pins sized to be matingly received into the pair of locating holes in the bottom surface of the casing of the portable computer, the engaging pins being fixedly projected above the bearing surface at opposite corners thereof and adjacent to the rear edge thereof in positions for being matingly received into the pair of locating holes; an expansion connector drive mechanism having a portion movably coupled to the guide mechanism for moving relative to the inner face of the bearing plate and the access opening formed through the expansion connector presentation surface; a connector bracket coupled to the movable portion of the expansion connector drive mechanism and projected above the bearing surface of the bearing plate adjacent to the access opening formed through the expansion connector presentation surface, the connector bracket having a pair of substantially rigid guides in spaced apart positions for engaging the pair of positioning apertures provided on the computer back plane on opposite sides of the peripheral component connector; a computer expansion connector coupled to the connector bracket between the guides thereof, the computer expansion connector being structured to mate with the I/O connector of the computer; a safety catch operable between the movable portion of the expansion connector drive mechanism and the passage through the bearing plate and biased toward the bearing plate; and a latch mechanism operable for constraining the computer expansion connector relative to the access opening formed through the expansion connector presentation surface and the computer bearing surface of the molded body portion.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the molded body portion comprises a body portion molded of an injection moldable material.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the molded body portion comprises a body portion molded of die castable material.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the molded body portion further comprises a computer receiver structure positioned adjacent to the front edge of the bearing surface and projected there above.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the body portion further comprises a pair of cooperating body portions defining the cavity therebetween.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the body portion further comprises: a peripheral device connector presentation surface having one or more interface connectors adapted to connect to one or more different peripheral devices; and an external wire harness support positioned adjacent to the peripheral device connector presentation surface.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the external wire harness support further comprises a strain relief positioned adjacent to the peripheral device connector presentation surface.
 15. An external expanding apparatus for expanding the function of a portable electronic device having a device body provided with an input/output (I/O) connector, the external expanding apparatus comprising: a molded apparatus body having a molded wall substantially enclosing a cavity, an outer surface of the molded wall having a bearing surface formed thereof on which the device body is to be placed, a connector presentation surface positioned for opposing the I/O connector of the device body placed on the bearing surface, and a receiver structure positioned adjacent to a front portion of the bearing surface opposite from the connector presentation surface; a pair of engaging pins positioned on a rear portion of the bearing surface adjacent to the connector presentation surface, the engaging pins being structured for being slidingly received into mating locating holes in the device body; an expansion connector connectable with the device I/O connector; an expansion connector drive mechanism coupled to the molded apparatus body and structured for moving the expansion connector relative to the connector presentation surface between a disengaged position spaced away from the bearing surface and an engaged position extended over the bearing surface; and a mounting structure positioned for adapting the molded apparatus body for mounting to an external support structure.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the expansion connector drive mechanism further comprises: a movable frame movably coupled within the cavity of the molded apparatus body for motion relative to the bearing surface, the frame including a connector seat having the expansion connector mounted thereon and a security plate; and wherein the external expanding apparatus further comprises a releasable safety catch operable between the security plate of the expansion connector drive mechanism frame and an aperture communicating with the bearing surface, the safety catch being movable between a locked position having a sensing portion thereof extended above the bearing surface and having a locking portion thereof interlocked with the security plate, and an unlocked position having the sensing portion thereof depressed relative to the bearing surface and having the locking portion thereof disengaged from the security plate.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a resilient retraction mechanism coupled between the movable frame of the expansion connector drive mechanism and a portion of the molded apparatus body.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the expansion connector drive mechanism further comprises one or more guides positioned on an inner surface of the molded wall substantially opposite from the bearing surface thereof and aligned between the connector presentation surface and the opposing front portion of the bearing surface, and a cooperating follower mechanism formed in a portion of the movable frame.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the molded wall of the molded apparatus body further comprises a peripheral device connector presentation surface integrally formed therein, the peripheral device connector presentation surface having one or more interface connectors presented thereon and adapted to connect to one or more different peripheral devices.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the molded wall of the molded apparatus body further comprises a wire harness strain relief integrally formed with the outer surface of the molded wall and spaced away from a peripheral device connector presentation surface.
 21. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a display unit support mechanism having a substantially rigid support arm rotatably coupled relative to a rear portion of the molded apparatus body adjacent to the connector presentation surface, and a display unit clamping mechanism positioned on the rigid support arm spaced away from the molded apparatus body, the clamping mechanism comprising: a substantially rigid anvil having a support surface extended therefrom, and a substantially rigid jaw that is resiliently coupled to the anvil, the jaw having a substantially rigid finger that is spaced away from the support surface of the anvil and is movable between a first position opposed to the support surface of the anvil, and a second position unopposed to the support surface of the anvil.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the support arm further comprises a molded support arm.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the substantially rigid anvil further comprises a molded anvil integral with the molded support arm.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the substantially rigid jaw further comprises a molded jaw.
 25. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the molded apparatus body further comprises: a first molded wall and a second molded wall, the first and second molded walls being connected along a line of mutual contact and substantially enclosing the cavity; a molded edge mounting hole formed between the first and second molded walls along the line of mutual contact; and a molded nut pocket formed on an inner surface of one of the first and second molded walls by a plurality of molded nut pocket walls extended interior of one of the first and second molded walls, the plurality of molded nut pocket walls forming a shaped cavity substantially aligned with the edge mounting hole and an opening thereinto from an outer surface of one of the first and second molded walls.
 26. A method of molding an external expanding apparatus housing of molding material, the method comprising: molding a wall having an inner wall surface which substantially bounds a cavity; molding a device bearing surface on a first portion of an outer surface of the molded wall; molding an expansion connector presentation surface on a second portion of the outer surface of the molded wall and positioned adjacent to an edge of the device bearing surface; forming an expansion connector access opening through the expansion connector presentation surface; and forming a mounting structure on a third portion of the outer surface of the molded wall that is adapted for mounting to an external support structure.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising projecting at least a portion of a device receiver structure above the device bearing surface adjacent to a different edge of the bearing surface substantially opposite from the expansion connector presentation surface.
 28. The method of claim 26 wherein molding a wall further comprises molding a first wall having a first inner wall surface and molding a second molded wall having a second inner wall surface, and further comprising connecting the first and second walls along a line of mutual contact with the first and second inner wall surfaces being substantially contiguous along the line of mutual contact and substantially bounding the cavity therebetween.
 29. The method of claim 26 wherein molding a wall further comprises molding a peripheral device connector presentation surface formed on a third portion of the outer surface of the molded wall, and further comprising forming one or more openings communicating through the peripheral device connector presentation surface with the inner wall surface.
 30. The method of claim 26, further comprising substantially permanently coupling one or more engaging pins projected from the first portion of an outer surface of the wall in the vicinity of the device bearing surface.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein molding a wall further comprises molding a structure integrally with a portion of the inner wall surface for supporting an expansion connector drive relative to a first portion of the inner wall surface opposite from the first portion of the outer wall surface having the device bearing surface formed thereon.
 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising: coupling an expansion connector drive mechanism to the expansion connector drive supporting structure such that a portion thereof is movable relative to the expansion connector access opening in the expansion connector presentation surface; and coupling a computer expansion connector to the movable portion of the expansion connector drive mechanism.
 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising: forming a passage through the molded wall communicating between the first portion of the inner wall surface and the first portion of the outer wall surface having the device bearing surface formed thereon; coupling a safety catch between the movable portion of the expansion connector drive mechanism and the passage through the molded wall; and biasing the safety catch toward the device bearing surface.
 34. The method of claim 26, further comprising coupling a display unit support mechanism to a fourth portion of the outer surface of the molded wall and positioned adjacent to an edge of the device bearing surface, and further comprising rotatably coupling a substantially rigid support arm adjacent to the expansion connector presentation surface and positioning a display unit clamping mechanism on the rigid support arm spaced away from the device bearing surface.
 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising molding the support arm.
 36. The method of claim 34, further comprising forming the display unit clamping mechanism of a substantially rigid anvil connected to the support arm and having a support surface extended therefrom over the device bearing surface; resiliently movably coupling a substantially rigid jaw to the anvil, including spacing a substantially rigid finger portion of the jaw away from the support surface of the anvil in a movable relationship therewith, the finger portion being movable between a first position opposed to the support surface of the anvil, and a second position unopposed to the support surface of the anvil; and molding one or more of the anvil and the jaw.
 37. The apparatus housing of claim 7, further comprising a safety catch operable between the movable portion of the expansion connector drive mechanism and a passage through the first portion of the outer wall surface having the device bearing surface formed thereon and biased toward the device bearing surface. 